Air India flight lands safely in Birmingham after deploying emergency turbine
An Air India flight from Amritsar to Birmingham landed safely after the crew detected the deployment of the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during final approach.
The incident occurred on Saturday, (October 4, 2025), when flight AI117 from Amritsar to Birmingham detected RAT deployment during its final approach.
On technical basis, RAT is an emergency power source that deploys automatically during serious system failures.
The system is designed to provide essential hydraulic and electrical power when an aircraft experiences a significant loss of onboard power.
Accordingly, the system is rarely used and typically activates only when both engines fail or there is a major systems failure — making its deployment an unusual and serious event.
Nevertheless, Air India clarified that despite the unexpected activation of the RAT, all electrical and hydraulic parameters onboard were reported normal.
“All electrical and hydraulic parameters were found normal, and the aircraft performed a safe landing at Birmingham,” an Air India spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement.
“The aircraft has been grounded for further checks and consequently, AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi has been cancelled and alternative arrangements are being made to accommodate the passengers .“
As per Air India spokesperson, the aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is now undergoing technical inspection in Birmingham, and the return leg of the flight, AI114 to Delhi, has been cancelled.
Consequently, passengers are being rebooked on alternative flights.
However, aviation expert Martin Consulting Chief Executive Mark D. Martin voiced strong concerns following the incident.
“Today’s incident with Air India Flight AI117 raises an elevated concern with the Boeing 787 fleet, its maintenance, operation and deployment,” said Martin.
“The RAT on the 787 deploys automatically by by computer sensing and input only during a moment when onboard systems detect a significant failure with engine power, hydraulics or engine thrust or power assurance.”
Notably, Martin referred to a previous incident involving Air India Flight AI171, which reportedly crashed under similar circumstances, although investigations into that case are still ongoing.
Besides initiating an internal investigation, Air India is coordinating with regulatory authorities and Boeing to determine the root cause.
In addition, India’s civil aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to review the incident closely.
Published on October 5, 2025
