Emergency Turbine Deploys on Air India Flight to UK, Aircraft Lands Safely
An Air India Boeing 787 flight from Amritsar to Birmingham experienced the unexpected deployment of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during final approach on October 4, but the plane landed safely, the airline confirmed.
The RAT is designed to deploy automatically in the event of dual engine failure or total electrical or hydraulic system failure, using wind speed to generate emergency power.
Air India stated that all electrical and hydraulic systems were functioning normally at the time of landing. “The operating crew of flight AI117 detected deployment of the Ram Air Turbine during final approach. The aircraft landed safely in Birmingham with no reported issues,” the Tata Group-owned airline said in a statement.
The airline has grounded the aircraft for inspection and cancelled the return flight from Birmingham to Delhi. Alternative arrangements are being made for the affected passengers.
The incident comes months after another serious accident involving an Air India Boeing 787. On June 12, 2025, flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 260 people. Investigations by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed potential engine fuel control issues, though the investigation is ongoing.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has not publicly commented on either incident.
