What initially appeared to be an improbable account of an in-flight emergency over Poland appears to have some basis in fact, after a Boeing 737-8 MAX operating as a Ryanair flight experienced an engine shutdown shortly after departing Krakow on December 8, 2025, following the detachment of a cockpit sun visor during the climb.
The aircraft, registered 9H-VUE, wore Malta Air livery and was operating a Ryanair-branded flight under a wet-lease arrangement, according to incident reporting. The aircraft was performing flight FR-3505 from Krakow to Milan Bergamo when the incident occurred. FlightAware data shows the aircraft departed Krakow at approximately 06:25 local time and was climbing through about 8,000 feet when the crew stopped the climb and leveled off.
According to The Aviation Herald, a cockpit sun visor became detached and struck one of the engine start levers, resulting in the shutdown of a CFM LEAP-1B engine. The flight crew declared a “PAN PAN” call, indicating an urgent but non-distress situation, and remained on their current heading while troubleshooting.
The crew subsequently leveled at 10,000 feet, successfully restarted the engine in flight, canceled the PAN PAN, and continued to Milan Bergamo, where the aircraft landed without further incident about 90 minutes later, based on flight-tracking records. No injuries were reported.
The aircraft remained on the ground in Milan for roughly 50 hours before returning to service.
The Maltese Bureau of Air Accident Investigation (BAAI) has classified the event as an incident and has opened an investigation. No investigation report has been released, and the events described are still under review.
Aviation professionals have noted that the reported mechanism raises questions due to the physical separation between cockpit sun visors, which are normally mounted high and forward near the windshield, and engine start controls, which are located low on the center pedestal and typically require deliberate movement.
Investigators are expected to review cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder information, maintenance records, and cockpit hardware configuration as part of the inquiry.
Ryanair flight numbers are frequently operated under wet-lease arrangements, particularly during peak travel periods. In such cases, the marketing carrier sells the ticket while another airline operates the flight under its own air operator certificate. The aircraft involved carried a Malta “9H” registration, consistent with Air Malta’s original registry.
CFM LEAP-1B engines power the Boeing 737 MAX fleet. Inflight engine shutdowns are rare events, and certification standards require that aircraft be capable of safely continuing flight and landing following the loss of an engine.
The investigation will determine whether the cockpit visor was a causal factor, contributory, or incidental to the engine shutdown, and whether any maintenance or procedural issues were involved.
Queries about the incident to Ryanair were not immediately returned.
