A Ryanair flight bound for Munich that had departed from Thessaloniki returned safely to Greece on Friday after a serious engine failure during the journey, which caused a fragment of the engine to shatter a passenger window.
The passenger was injured as the intense pressure difference pulled him towards the outside, while oxygen masks immediately dropped in the cabin, triggering panic among those on board. The authorities clarified that no crack or breach occurred in the fuselage of the aircraft.
The crew detected the problem while the aircraft was flying over North Macedonia. The pilots decided to return to Thessaloniki airport, as the malfunction could not be rectified in flight.
After the crew activated a distress signal, all prescribed emergency measures were put in place at Thessaloniki’s “Macedonia” airport. Fire crews, ambulances, police and other security services were on standby, however the aircraft landed smoothly and was then moved to a specially designated area of the airport.
Four passengers were taken to hospital as a precaution for medical checks. Most were examined and discharged, while one remained for further tests.
Ryanair sent another aircraft to carry the majority of passengers on to Munich and complete their journey.
At the same time, the relevant aviation authorities are conducting an investigation into the cause of the engine failure.
Additional sources • https://www.rthess.gr/