NTSB report links bird strike to engine failure on Ryanair flight

A preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has identified bird remains in the engine of a Ryanair Boeing 737 NG that experienced a critical failure shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10. The flight, bound for Memmingen, Germany, suffered a catastrophic engine issue when a fan blade in the number 2 right-side engine broke during the climb. The debris punctured a cabin window, causing rapid decompression and pulling a passenger, identified as Serbian national Ljubisa Karovic, partially through the opening before he was restrained by other passengers.

Prior to the structural failure, flight crew members had reported intense engine vibrations. Although they initially reduced engine power and performed checks, the vibrations resumed, leading to the eventual breakup. Investigators are currently comparing this event to previous aviation incidents involving similar engine types, including the fatal 2018 Southwest Airlines accident. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities analyze the exact sequence of technical events leading to the decompression.