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NTSB: Ryanair 737 Engine Had Five Suspected Bird Strikes

August 14, 2026

3 min read

Key Takeaways

Ryanair 737 engine had five suspected bird strikes before blade failure.
Bird remains and feathers found inside damaged engine.
Engine debris caused rapid loss of cabin pressure and injured passenger.
NTSB investigation ongoing, cause of accident remains under investigation.

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Strategic Implications

This incident may indicate a need for more stringent maintenance inspections following suspected bird strikes. The fact that the engine had been involved in multiple incidents without identifying damage suggests that current inspection procedures could be improved, which may lead to changes in regulatory requirements or industry standards.

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What Happened

Preliminary Report Reveals History Of Bird Strikes Before Blade Failure

A preliminary report from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 engine involved in an uncontained engine failure over Greece in July 2026 had a history of suspected bird strikes. The engine had been involved in five suspected bird strikes, including four in the previous 12 months, with bird remains found after two of those incidents. The NTSB said a fan blade in the aircraft’s right engine fractured shortly after takeoff, sending engine debris into the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer. The incident has drawn comparisons with earlier Boeing 737 Next Generation fan blade failures, and the NTSB is continuing to investigate the cause of the accident. This report was first published by AeroTime.

Source | Originally Published: July 10, 2026

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