On July 10, a Ryanair flight experienced a catastrophic window failure shortly after takeoff, resulting in passenger Ljubisa Karović being partially ejected from the aircraft... The 61-year-old survived the depressurization event, though he sustained severe injuries during the ordeal.
The 15,000-foot plunge and 600 km/h wind blast
The incident occurred while the Ryanair aircraft was cruising at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet and traveling at speeds exceeding 600 km/h. According to the report,the explosive force of the window blowout thrust Ljubisa Karović's head and right arm outside the fuselage. The sudden loss of cabin pressure was so violent that Karović lost consciousness multiple times during the event.
This level of structural failure is an extremely rare occurrence in modern commercial aviation, where pressurized hulls are designed to withstand immense stress. The physics of such a blowout create a vacuum effect that can pull unsecured objects—and people—toward the breach with lethal force, making this a worst-case scenario for any flight crew.
How an Albanian passenger and a suitcase saved Ljubisa Karović
While the cabin crew were reportedly in shock, the rescue of Ljubisa Karović was carried out by fellow travelers. As reported, an unidentified Albanian man worked to pull Karović back into the cabin. After an initial attempt to block the breach with a bag failed—as the bag was immediately sucked out of the plane—the passenger successfully used a suitcase to plug the hole.
Karović remained partially outside the aircraft for between 90 seconds and two minutes before the breach was stabilized. His wife, Svetlana, who was seated three rows behind him, witnessed the chaos and rushed to assist her husband during the struggle to keep him inside the cabin.
A six-week neck brace and the trauma of depressurization
The physical toll on Ljubisa Karović was extensive,involving significant trauma to his face, neck, and head caused by the intense pressure differential. He also suffered severe burns and bruising extending from his armpit to his chest on his right side. Medical professionals have mandated a neck brace for six weeks before they can determine if surgical intervention is necessary.
Beyond the physical injuries, Karović is struggling with the psychological aftermath of the explosion. He reports being haunted by the noise of the blowout, a common symptom of acute stress disorder following a near-death aviation experience.
Vasilis Tsiaras challenges Ryanair's "phenomenal" crew performance claim
A sharp legal dispute has emerged regarding the conduct of the Ryanair staff during the emergency. Ryanair has maintained that its crew followed all safety protocols and performed "phenomenally" by arranging medical aid and attending to the victim after the plane descended. However, Karović's lawyer, Vasilis Tsiaras, strongly contests this narrative, alleging that the crew were too stunned to provide actual assistance during the crisis .
Tsiaras further claims that neither Ljubisa Karović nor Svetlana Karović have received direct support or contact from the airline, noting that the only communications received were automated emails regarding flight rebooking. This discrepancy between corporate reporting and the victim's experience raises questions about the efficacy of crew training for high-stress, non-standard emergencies.
Greek authorities investigate a rare failure in cabin safety
The incident is currently under formal investigation by Greek authorities to determine why the window failed post-takeoff. A primary focus of the inquiry will be whether the windw had a pre-existing structural flaw or if the blowout was caused by an external factor.
Crucially, it remains unverified whether the seatbelt played a decisive role in preventing Karović from being fully ejected from the aircraft. While the victim himself questioons if the belt saved his life, the official investigation by Greek regulators will be the only way to confirm if safety equipment functioned as intended or if the survival was purely a result of passenger intervention.
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