There was a loud bang... then I felt blood all over me: Ryanair passenger describes terror of being sucked out of a window mid-flight - and the panic he now suffers when he hears a plane

Ryanair’s chief executive has stated that preliminary investigations into a recent in-flight incident suggest that a foreign object caused damage to a window that led to a passenger being partially ejected from the aircraft. The incident occurred on a flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, involving a passenger named Ljubiša Karović, 61, from Serbia. According to reports, the plane encountered a sudden and violent noise, followed by a loud bang. Karović described waking up to find himself partially outside the aircraft, with blood covering his face and hands. He recounted the traumatic experience in detail, stating that he had no recollection of the moments following the impact. His wife, Svetlana Grković, remained inside the cabin, holding onto his legs for several minutes as the situation unfolded. She described feeling determined to stay with him, saying, “If we die, we die together.” During this time, other passengers rushed to assist them, including a man and a woman who helped pull Karović back into the cabin. The cause of the incident appears to have been related to the aircraft’s engine. Part of the engine broke away during the flight and struck the window, causing it to shatter. This resulted in a partial ejection of Karović, with his head and shoulders exposed to the outside air. The plane was forced to divert back to Thessaloniki, where emergency medical teams treated Karović. He sustained serious injuries, including a swollen and numb head, temporary paralysis on the right side of his body, and partial damage to his right eye and ear. Additionally, he suffered burns on his back and right hand. Medical professionals estimate that he may not fully recover from these injuries. Karović has expressed that his life has been significantly altered by the incident. He mentioned experiencing panic attacks whenever he hears an airplane and struggles with daily activities such as walking on the street. He described his mental state as having reached “rock bottom,” noting that the trauma has affected both his personal and professional life. He previously enjoyed traveling for both business and leisure, but now finds it difficult to engage in normal routines. His wife, Svetlana Grković, also spoke about the harrowing experience. She described how she acted instinctively to hold onto her husband’s legs, fearing the worst. She later thanked a stranger who assisted them during the crisis. The couple’s ordeal was further complicated by the presence of a pregnant woman on board, who was taken to the hospital but is reported to be in good health and has since been released. Eyewitness accounts and video footage captured by a Ryanair flight attendant showed visible damage to the aircraft, including a missing engine blade and a large hole in the engine casing. The plane continued flying for approximately 30 minutes with the damaged window before making an emergency landing. Passengers on board described the chaos that ensued, with some experiencing panic while others worked to provide assistance. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety and the potential risks associated with engine failures. Ryanair has initiated an investigation into the cause of the damage, with the CEO indicating that the findings point toward a foreign object contributing to the issue. Further details are expected as the inquiry progresses.