The Air India Dreamliner, operating as flight AI117, safely landed in Birmingham on October 4, 2025. This event followed a deployment of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during the final approach, just moments before landing. The RAT, an emergency power system, was activated at an altitude of 400 feet. This prompted the airline to ground the aircraft for thorough safety checks.
Incident Details
The flight departed from Amritsar at 12:52 PM and arrived in Birmingham at 7:07 PM local time. According to Air India officials, the crew detected the RAT deployment but confirmed that all electrical and hydraulic systems remained functional. Consequently, the aircraft was able to complete a safe landing.
Impact on Operations
- Flight AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi was cancelled.
- Passengers were informed that alternative arrangements would be made.
Air India emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, stating that the well-being of both guests and crew is their utmost priority. Senior pilots noted that the RAT can deploy under specific circumstances, including dual engine failure, complete hydraulic failure, or total electrical failure.
However, experts suggested that the RAT’s activation in this incident indicates a potential system anomaly rather than a critical failure. They advised against making direct comparisons with previous incidents involving RAT deployment, such as one that occurred on June 12 during a different flight.
Conclusion
Following the event, the aircraft remains grounded for additional inspections. Air India is dedicated to ensuring all safety protocols are followed rigorously, maintaining trust with its passengers.
