Svetlana Grković held on to her husband at 20,000 feet after engine debris broke their Ryanair cabin window.
Imagine looking over and seeing your spouse halfway out of an airplane. For one woman, a flight turned into a fight to save the person she loves most.
What Happened
Ljubiša Karović, 61, was on a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany. About 30 minutes after takeoff, parts of the engine broke off. The debris shattered the window next to him.
The air pressure pulled Karović halfway out of the plane. His wife, Svetlana, grabbed his legs right away. She held on tight and decided that if they died, they would die together.
Another traveler helped Svetlana hold her husband's legs. Karović passed out several times from the drop in air pressure. The plane turned around and landed safely in Greece.
Fact Box
- Altitude: 20,000 feet
- Route: Greece to Germany
- Incident: 30 minutes after takeoff
- Injuries: Bad hand wounds, burns, and head trauma
- Plane damage: Shredded engine casing and broken window
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Why It Matters
We trust airplanes to keep us safe in the sky. When an engine fails and breaks a window, that trust is shaken. This event shows how fast a simple trip can turn into a fight to stay alive.
It also shows how far people will go to save the ones they love.
What Happens Next
Safety experts will look into why the engine broke. They will check the plane to find out what went wrong.
Meanwhile, Karović is in the hospital. His family is waiting for him to heal from his wounds and shock.
What We Still Don't Know
- Why did the engine break and send parts into the window?
- Was there a known issue with this plane before it took off?
- How long will it take for Karović to recover from his injuries?