US to lead probe into Ryanair Boeing 737 engine failure over Greece

• A Serbian passenger, Ljubisa Karovic, was partially sucked out of the broken window after a fan blade detached but was held by fellow passengers and survived with injuries, similar to a fatal 2018 Southwest incident
• The FAA issued an airworthiness directive in 2023 requiring Boeing 737 NG fan cowl redesigns by July 2028; Southwest has completed approximately 80% of required work on its affected fleet
• FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated the agency is conducting a 'full reevaluation' of its 2018 response, acknowledging 'we can't take it off the board yet' that something may have been missed

Summary: US to Lead Probe into Ryanair Boeing 737 Engine Failure over Greece

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into a July 10, 2026 incident involving a Ryanair Boeing 737 NG aircraft, after Greece delegated the role. A piece of engine broke off shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, smashing a window and causing cabin depressurization. The aircraft, bound for Germany, made an emergency landing.

Key Details:

• Serbian passenger Ljubisa Karovic was partially pulled out of the broken window but held by fellow passengers. He was injured and hospitalized.
• The Ryanair aircraft was equipped with CFM56 engines from CFM International, standard for all Boeing 737 NG models in Ryanair's fleet.
• The NG is the 737 generation preceding the current MAX series.

Market Implications:

The incident bears similarities to two prior Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 NG events in 2016 and 2018. In the 2018 incident, a passenger died after a broken fan blade damaged a window. However, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated early indications suggest the Ryanair incident may differ from the Southwest case.

Following the 2018 Southwest incident, the NTSB recommended Boeing redesign the fan cowl structure on 737 NG planes. The FAA issued an airworthiness directive in 2023 with a July 2028 completion deadline. Southwest Airlines reports 80% completion on affected aircraft, ahead of schedule.

Bedford confirmed the FAA is conducting a full reevaluation of its 2018 response, questioning whether regulatory actions were sufficient. The investigation's outcome could potentially impact Boeing, Ryanair, and CFM International, with broader implications for 737 NG fleet safety standards.