New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an inquiry into the unintentional activation of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) on an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner during a flight from Amritsar to Birmingham. Despite the unexpected deployment, the aircraft, operating as flight AI 117, landed safely at its destination.
The RAT is a small turbine designed to deploy automatically in emergency situations, typically when the aircraft experiences a complete loss of engine power. Once deployed, it generates essential hydraulic and electrical power by harnessing the airflow, ensuring critical systems remain operational.
Officials from the DGCA confirmed that the activation of the RAT in this instance was uncommanded, prompting the ongoing investigation to determine the cause and prevent any recurrence. The incident has drawn attention due to the rarity of such deployments outside of genuine emergencies.
The Air India Dreamliner involved was carrying passengers on a routine international flight, and no safety risks or injuries were reported. Aviation experts stress that while the RAT deployment is a crucial safety feature, unexpected activation warrants thorough scrutiny to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation.
