Passenger Holds Husband After He Is Partially Sucked Out of Ryanair Plane Window at 20,000 Feet

Svetlana Grakovich recounted the terrifying moments when her husband, Ljubisha, was partially sucked out of a Ryanair plane window at about 20,000 feet during a flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on July 7, 2026. The couple was returning from a vacation in Greece when a loud explosion was heard, and a piece of the engine reportedly detached and struck the window next to Ljubisha, causing it to shatter and a sudden cabin pressure drop. Ljubisha was pulled halfway out of the aircraft, but Svetlana grabbed his legs and held on tightly, thinking, "If we die, we die together."

Passengers quickly reacted amid chaos, with oxygen masks deploying and some panicking while others rushed to help. Svetlana was aided by a man she believes was Albanian and a woman, who helped hold Ljubisha’s legs until the plane turned back and made an emergency landing in Thessaloniki. Ljubisha suffered severe injuries, including significant damage to his hand and burns, and remains hospitalized in shock and unable to communicate or recall the incident. Svetlana emphasized that the most important thing to her is that he is alive.

The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, and the plane returned safely to Thessaloniki. Passengers continued their journey to Germany on a replacement aircraft. Reuters reported on July 9, citing two sources familiar with the investigation, that a part of the engine detached and hit the window, though this has not been officially confirmed. It was also revealed that the same Ryanair aircraft had turned back shortly after takeoff the previous day for unknown reasons.

Svetlana expressed a desire to personally thank the man who helped her hold her husband during the ordeal. The shattered window and damaged engine were documented in photos and videos shared publicly, highlighting the severity of the incident.