Air India Boeing 787’s emergency turbine deploys mid-air, plane lands safely in Birmingham
An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating on the Amritsar–Birmingham route experienced an unexpected deployment of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during final approach on October 4, the airline confirmed on Saturday.
The flight, AI117, landed safely with all systems functioning normally.
According to Air India, the operating crew noticed the RAT had deployed as the aircraft approached Birmingham Airport.
“All electrical and hydraulic parameters were found normal, and the aircraft performed a safe landing at Birmingham,” the airline said in a statement.
The RAT is an emergency device designed to automatically deploy in the event of a dual engine failure or total electrical or hydraulic power loss, using airflow to generate temporary power for critical flight systems.
The airline has grounded the aircraft for inspection, leading to the cancellation of its return Birmingham–Delhi flight. Air India said alternative arrangements are being made for affected passengers.
While the airline did not disclose how many passengers were onboard, officials have stressed that all safety procedures were followed and there was no immediate threat to the aircraft or passengers.
The incident comes just months after a deadly Air India crash on June 12, involving another Boeing 787-8 (Flight AI171) that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 241 onboard.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the June crash.
Its preliminary report revealed that fuel control switches were cut off seconds after lift-off, leading to engine deceleration.
Investigators noted confusion in the cockpit as one pilot reportedly asked the other why the switches were turned off, to which the co-pilot replied that he had not done so.
The AAIB report, spanning 15 pages, stated that while the switches were later reactivated, one engine’s power could not recover in time, leading to the fatal crash.
Boeing has not publicly commented on either the June crash or the latest RAT deployment incident.
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