Ryanair flight: engine debris reportedly caused aircraft depressurization

The failure of a right engine blade is believed to be the cause of the serious incident that occurred on July 10th aboard a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany. According to a preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, debris pierced the aircraft's fuselage during its climb, resulting in a sudden depressurization of the cabin.

Due to the force of the storm, a cabin window was completely torn off. A passenger was partially trapped in the opening, his head outside the aircraft, before being pulled back inside by other travelers. Seriously injured, he received medical attention after the plane landed.

Bird remains discovered in the engine

Investigators have determined that a fan blade broke off in the right engine. The ejected debris damaged several parts of the fuselage and completely destroyed the window. Bird remains were also found in the engine, but authorities cannot yet confirm that a bird strike was directly responsible for the engine failure.

Passengers reported hearing a noise similar to a tire bursting, immediately followed by screams and a drop in cabin pressure. The published report remains preliminary and does not yet allow for a precise determination of the sequence of failures. The full investigation will notably have to determine the condition of the engine before the flight, the fuselage's strength, and the possible role of the bird strike—a task that could take up to two years.