A Ryanair passenger who was partially sucked out of a plane window during a flight from Greece to Germany has described his traumatic experience and the ongoing physical and psychological impact. Ljubisa Karović, 61, was asleep when a loud explosion caused his window to shatter at approximately 15,000 feet, forcing his head and right arm outside the aircraft. His wife, Svetlana Grkovic, seated three rows behind him, immediately grasped his legs, holding on for up to two minutes until the plane made an emergency landing at Thessaloniki Airport.

Karović sustained severe injuries, including burns and bruises on his right arm and chest, and is currently wearing a neck brace for a minimum of six weeks. Medical professionals have indicated his recovery will be slow, and further treatment could be necessary. He has reported symptoms of panic attacks, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating, describing the event as a nightmare that continues to affect his daily life.

Eyewitness accounts recount the chaos inside the cabin after the window explosion, with passengers donning oxygen masks amid objects flying through the air. Several passengers, including an Albanian man who attempted to block the broken window with a suitcase, played a critical role in assisting Karović. Grkovic, who fainted twice during the ordeal, praised these passengers for their help and expressed gratitude for their intervention.

Ryanair’s initial investigation suggests foreign object damage to the engine caused the incident, but the airline cautioned that conclusions remain preliminary. The aircraft sustained significant damage, including a missing engine blade and a large hole in the engine casing. The flight, which had departed from Thessaloniki heading to Memmingen, Germany, turned back after about 30 minutes in the air.

Controversy has arisen over the conduct of Ryanair cabin crew during the incident. While the airline asserts its staff performed well, following safety procedures such as advising passengers to fasten seat belts and use oxygen masks, Karović’s lawyer has contested this, describing the cabin crew as being in a state of shock and alleging they offered no assistance to Karović when he was partially outside the aircraft. Ryanair responded that cabin crew did engage with Karović after the plane descended to a safe altitude, moving him beside his wife and arranging medical care on board and upon landing.

Karović, an experienced frequent flyer and owner of a Serbian aluminium factory, stated he is unlikely to fly again due to the trauma. He emphasized the importance of always wearing a seatbelt during flights. His lawyer also indicated that compensation discussions have been insufficient, noting that while Ryanair contacted Karović’s son, neither Karović nor his wife has received direct support from the airline.

The incident underscores concerns about aircraft safety and emergency response protocols following a rare and dangerous event that left one passenger severely injured but alive. Further investigations into the precise cause of the engine failure and window breach remain ongoing.