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NTSB to Lead Probe of Ryanair 737 Window Blowout Over Greece

The U.S. agency will determine whether a right‑engine failure or detached engine debris shattered a cabin window and whether regulators should require new inspections.

Overview

  • A window on a Malta Air–operated Boeing 737-800 shattered shortly after takeoff, and a 61-year-old passenger was partly sucked through the opening before fellow travelers and his seatbelt pulled him back inside.
  • The NTSB accepted Greece’s delegation to lead the investigation after officials confirmed the flight was in Greek airspace, with Greek authorities participating as the accredited representative.
  • Passenger videos and statements from U.S. regulators show the flight reported a right‑engine issue and rapid cabin decompression, but investigators have not yet confirmed that engine debris struck the window.
  • The incident, which happened on July 10 on the ThessalonikiMemmingen flight, recalls the 2018 Southwest 737 NG accident and has prompted U.S. and European regulators to recheck prior fixes and a 2023 FAA airworthiness directive.
  • Investigators are forensically examining engine and airframe parts to establish a causal chain, and regulators say findings could lead to targeted inspections, new mandates, or design and maintenance changes across 737 NG fleets.