Air India flight grounded in UK after emergency turbine deploys mid-descent

Birmingham: An Air India Dreamliner flying from Amritsar to Birmingham was grounded after its emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) unexpectedly deployed during descent, though the aircraft landed safely, the airline confirmed.

The incident occurred on Saturday aboard flight AI117, which was on final approach to Birmingham. Despite the deployment, Air India said all electrical and hydraulic systems were functioning normally and the landing was uneventful.

The RAT, a small fan-like device, automatically deploys when an aircraft loses power, generating emergency electricity to keep critical systems like hydraulics, cockpit instruments and flight controls operational.

“The operating crew of flight AI117 from Amritsar to Birmingham on October 4 detected deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) of the aircraft during its final approach. All electrical and hydraulic parameters were found normal, and the aircraft performed a safe landing at Birmingham,” Air India said 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 guests. At Air India, the safety of passengers and crew remains top priority.”

The same Boeing 787-8 model was involved in the Ahmedabad crash in June this year, where a fuel supply cut-off led to engine shutdowns and triggered RAT deployment.

Air India has launched a detailed inspection of the aircraft to determine why the emergency system was activated despite no apparent malfunction in power or hydraulics.