Serbian passenger rescued after Ryanair window rupture seeks compensation
Ljubiša Karović, a 61‑year‑old Serbian passenger, was nearly pulled out of a Ryanair Boeing 737 when a cabin window ruptured at roughly 6,000 m altitude on flight FR1879 from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on 10 July 2026. The rapid loss of cabin pressure lifted him toward the opening; his wife Svetlana and other passengers grabbed his legs and kept him from being sucked out. He lost consciousness, suffered friction burns and bruising on his right arm and chest, and was later treated by emergency services.
After the incident the pilot descended to a safer altitude and the crew and passengers donned oxygen masks. The aircraft returned to Thessaloniki, where medical teams met it. Ryanair contacted Karović only by email to his son—who booked the tickets—offering a re‑booking on a new flight and a refund of costs, but made no personal phone call. The passenger has engaged Greek attorney Vasilis Tsiaras to seek substantial compensation. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident.
Entities: Alaska Airlines · Alaska Airlines Flight 261 · Alen Šćuric · Boeing 737 · Flight 261 · Ljubisa Karovic · McDonnell Douglas MD-83 · National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) · Ryanair · Ryanair Ltd. · Ted Thompson · Vasilis Tsiaras
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Ryanair offered Karović only a new flight reservation as compensation. (Ryanair communications to Karović’s son.)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The pilot descended the aircraft to a safer altitude and passengers and crew used oxygen masks. (Crew actions reported in passenger accounts.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident. (Official investigation notice.)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Karović suffered severe friction burns and bruising on his right arm and chest. (Patient statements and medical reports.)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Boeing 737 returned to Thessaloniki where emergency services met the aircraft. (Flight logs and ground crew statements.)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Ljubiša Karović was nearly sucked out of a Ryanair aircraft after a cabin window ruptured at about 6,000 m altitude. (Passengers reported the incident and aircraft damage.)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Ryanair has not personally contacted Karović; communications were sent only to his son who booked the tickets. (Passenger complaint.)
- [● 6 SOURCES] The incident occurred on flight FR1879 from Thessaloniki, Greece to Memmingen, Germany on 10 July 2026. (Flight details given by passengers and airline statements.)