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Man Nearly Sucked Out of Ryanair Plane Speaks Out
Ljubisa Karovic, the 61-year-old Serbian businessman who was partially sucked out of a broken window on a Ryanair flight earlier this month, has broken his silence. Speaking to The Guardian, Karovic described the terrifying ordeal that left him with severe injuries and a neck brace he must wear for at least six weeks. 'My head and neck still hurt, but I am alive,' he said, adding that he remembers little beyond 'the explosion.'
The incident occurred on July 10, 2026, during Ryanair flight FR8822 from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany. Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, as the Boeing 737-800 climbed past 15,000 feet, a window dislodged, causing rapid decompression. Karovic was pulled head-first through the opening, with his head and right arm hanging outside the aircraft at a speed of roughly 600 km/h (370 mph). Fellow passengers, including his wife Svetlana Grkovic, grabbed his legs and pulled him back inside. One passenger used a suitcase to block the broken window after a bag was sucked out.
What Caused the Window to Fail?
Investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has taken over the probe from Greek authorities, are examining both the window failure and a reported 'right engine issue.' Preliminary reports suggest a piece of the engine may have broken off and struck the window, causing it to crack and fail under the pressure differential. The aircraft, an 18-year-old Boeing 737-800 operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air, rapidly descended to 6,000 feet before returning to Thessaloniki, where it landed safely after burning off fuel.
Aviation experts note that such decompression events are extremely rare in modern aviation, thanks to rigorous engineering standards. However, the history of aircraft decompression incidents shows that when they do occur, the consequences can be catastrophic. The most recent high-profile case was the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug blowout in January 2024.
Injuries and Recovery: A Long Road Ahead
Karovic suffered extensive injuries, including severe friction burns on his right arm extending to his armpit and chest, neck and shoulder trauma, and facial swelling caused by the intense air pressure and wind. He was treated at a hospital in Thessaloniki and has since been discharged. Doctors say he must wear a neck brace for six weeks, after which they will assess whether surgery is needed. 'Maybe the seatbelt saved my life. But maybe it is fate. I thank God every day,' Karovic said.
His wife, Svetlana Grkovic, who was seated beside him, described the chaos: 'He was hanging outside. I held onto his legs and thought, if we die, we die together.' She praised a fellow passenger, believed to be Albanian, who helped pull her husband back inside and blocked the window with a suitcase. The couple said cabin crew did not initially react, a claim that Ryanair disputes. The airline states that crew followed protocol: during sudden decompression, passengers and crew must fasten seatbelts and don oxygen masks. Once the aircraft reached a safe altitude, crew assisted in moving the passenger.
Legal Action and Compensation Demands
Karovic's lawyer, who described the survival as a miracle, is considering legal action against Ryanair. 'His head and right arm were hanging out of an aircraft at 600 kilometers per hour. He looked death in the face and came back,' the lawyer said. Karovic himself says he wants compensation from the airline but has so far received only emails about rebooking his flight. The incident echoes the legal battles following the Alaska Airlines blowout, where passengers sought damages for trauma and injuries.
Ryanair has stated that the aircraft landed normally and that one passenger received medical assistance. The airline has not commented on the reported engine issue or the crew's response time. The NTSB investigation is expected to take months, with a preliminary report likely within weeks.
Psychological Toll: 'The Noise Haunts Me'
Beyond the physical injuries, Karovic is struggling with the psychological aftermath. He suffers from sleepless nights, haunted by the sound of the explosion. 'The noise of the explosion. That noise is there every time I try to sleep,' he said. The trauma is compounded by the knowledge that he came within seconds of death. His wife added that he is mentally 'destroyed' and experiences stress at the sound of planes overhead.
The psychological impact of aviation accidents is often underestimated, experts say, with many survivors developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that requires long-term therapy.
FAQ: Ryanair Window Blowout Incident
What happened on the Ryanair flight?
On July 10, 2026, a window dislodged on Ryanair flight FR8822 from Thessaloniki to Memmingen, causing rapid decompression. A passenger, Ljubisa Karovic, was partially sucked out before being pulled back by fellow passengers.
How did the passenger survive?
Karovic's seatbelt likely prevented him from being fully ejected. Fellow passengers, including his wife, held onto his legs and pulled him back inside. A suitcase was used to block the broken window.
What caused the window to break?
The exact cause is under investigation by the NTSB. Preliminary reports suggest a piece of the engine may have broken off and struck the window, causing it to fail.
Is Ryanair facing legal action?
Karovic's lawyer is considering legal action. The passenger has demanded compensation from Ryanair, which has so far only offered flight rebooking.
What is the NTSB investigating?
The NTSB is investigating the window failure and a reported right engine issue. The probe will examine maintenance records, the aircraft's history, and crew response.
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