Air India Flight Emergency Landing Raises Concerns

On Saturday, an Air India flight AI117 from Amritsar to Birmingham safely landed after the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was deployed before landing. The RAT, a small propeller that extends from the underside of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, acts as an emergency backup generator, supplying limited power to keep essential flight systems operational. While the airline reported that all electrical and hydraulic parameters were normal, the deployment of the RAT is typically a sign of engine failure or critically low hydraulic pressure.

This incident has drawn parallels to a fatal Air India crash in June, where the RAT was deployed shortly after takeoff. Aviation experts noted a distinct "high-pitched squeal" made by a RAT just before the crash. The interim probe report indicated that a fuel supply cutoff led to engine shutdowns and triggered the emergency mechanism. The current incident, while resulting in a safe landing, prompts further investigation into why the RAT was deployed.

The aircraft has been grounded for checks, and passengers on the onward journey have been accommodated with alternative arrangements. This event underscores the critical role of emergency systems in ensuring passenger safety during air travel.

A RAT is an emergency backup generator that deploys in flight when both engines lose power or if all three hydraulic systems register critically low pressure, supplying limited power to keep essential flight systems operational.

The exact reason for the RAT deployment is still under investigation, as the airline reported that all electrical and hydraulic parameters were normal.

Air India has made alternative arrangements to accommodate the guests from the cancelled AI114 flight from Birmingham to Delhi.

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