The man has been taken to hospital with friction abrasions, but is otherwise reported to be in good health, according to authorities.
According to The Aviation Herald, the plane is a Boeing 737-800. A picture published by the site shows the window glass shattered. Only shards surround the window opening, and oxygen mask hoses hang in front.
“Outside the window”
A passenger told Radio Thessaloniki that the oxygen masks were deployed and that this was preceded by a loud noise, like a tyre exploding.
"A passenger's head and shoulders were outside the window. Thank goodness he hadn't taken off his seatbelt," the passenger told the radio station.
The incident occurred over North Macedonia, and Greek media report that the window was shattered by an object that came loose from one of the aircraft's engines.
The plane turned back.
Ulf Ringertz, professor of aeronautical engineering at KTH, tells TT that such accidents are very rare, but that aircraft cannot withstand just anything. He says that if the object from the engine had instead hit the fuselage, it would likely have left a hole in it.
There is no big difference between sheet metal and glass, says Ulf Ringertz.
It is up to the authorities and the accident investigation to figure out what happened, he says.
According to a statement from Ryanair, the flight returned to its departure airport in Thessaloniki shortly after takeoff due to the incident. The company says the plane was able to land without any problems and that passengers were taken to the terminal.
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