European regulator appoints technical advisor to probe Ryanair window incident

PARIS, July 13 (Reuters) - The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said on Monday it has appointed a technical advisor to investigate an incident on a Ryanair operated flight in which a passenger was partially sucked through a dislodged window.

The incident occurred on July 10 aboard a Boeing 737-800 operated by Ryanair's subsidiary Malta Air. The plane was flying from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, when a window broke shortly after takeoff, partially sucking a passenger through the opening and forcing the plane to divert back to Thessaloniki.

• EASA said in a statement it is aware of the event and has appointed a technical advisor to the investigation.

• The agency said it is in contact with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which certified the aircraft's design, and with Boeing.

• EASA said it will follow the situation closely and take any continued airworthiness action needed to ensure safety.

• North Macedonia is leading the probe as the incident occurred over its airspace, with Boeing assisting the investigation and the FAA standing ready to support.

(Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet; Editing by Susan Fenton)