Ryanair CEO Disputes Passenger Account of Window Blowout

Ryanair CEO Disputes Passenger Account of Window Blowout

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has publicly challenged the account of Ljubisa Karovic, a 61-year-old passenger who sustained severe injuries during a Ryanair window blowout incident on July 10, 2026. The event occurred aboard a Boeing 737-8AS operated by Malta Air (Flight 1879), during which a No. 2 engine fan-blade-out (FBO) failure sent debris into the fuselage, shattering a window and causing sudden cabin depressurization. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation (DCA26FA274), the aircraft was carrying 149 passengers at the time of the failure.

The Disputed Account and Legal Implications

Following the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 10, 2026, O'Leary addressed the incident, asserting that while the passenger was pulled toward the window, he was not partially ejected from the aircraft. The passenger’s legal counsel maintains that Karovic’s head and right arm were pulled outside the fuselage before other passengers intervened to pull him back inside. Karovic has stated that he believes his seatbelt prevented a total ejection after he lost consciousness. The disparity between these accounts carries significant implications for personal injury liability and potential compensation claims against Ryanair Holdings.

Technical Investigation and Engine Integrity

Preliminary investigation data indicates that the aircraft’s engine had experienced four suspected bird strikes in the 12 months preceding the accident. The NTSB is currently investigating whether these prior events caused micro-fractures in the fan blades that were not detected during standard ultrasonic inspections. GE Aerospace and Boeing are participating in the probe, which is focused on whether current inspection intervals are sufficient to maintain fan blade integrity after foreign object ingestion. Former NTSB investigator Jeff Guzzetti emphasized that the inquiry will focus on the efficacy of historical inspection procedures and their role in the current mechanical failure.

Regulatory Context and Precedents

This incident shares striking similarities with the 2018 Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 accident, where a CFM56-7B engine failure led to a window blowout and the fatal partial ejection of a passenger. That precedent resulted in mandatory, more stringent ultrasonic inspection requirements for the industry. The current Ryanair investigation is governed by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Annex 13 protocols. Notably, the NTSB previously issued a formal reprimand to O’Leary in July 2026 for discussing active investigation details, which violated established international rules for technical advisers. The final report detailing the root cause is expected by late 2027.

Why This Matters for Aviation Safety

For CFM International and global aviation regulators, including the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), the investigation represents a critical inflection point in engine maintenance standards. If the NTSB determines that existing ultrasonic testing protocols failed to identify bird-strike-induced damage, the industry may face new, mandatory airworthiness directives. The outcome will likely reshape how airlines manage engine health monitoring following bird strike incidents, directly impacting operational safety and maintenance costs for operators of the Boeing 737 fleet.