Air India Boeing 787 Grounded After Emergency Turbine Deploys Mid-Air

An Air India Boeing 787-8 operating flight AI117 from Amritsar to Birmingham experienced a technical irregularity during descent when its emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed unexpectedly. Despite the mid-air event, the aircraft continued to function normally and touched down safely at Birmingham Airport.

The Function of the Ram Air Turbine

The RAT is a small turbine that deploys automatically to supply emergency electrical or hydraulic power if both engines or the aircraft's main power systems fail. By using airflow to generate power, it allows the flight crew to maintain control and keep essential systems active.

Details of the Event

• Flight AI117 landed safely with no reported issues in aircraft performance.
• Air India confirmed that all systems operated normally throughout the flight and landing.
• The aircraft was grounded after arrival to allow engineers to perform a complete inspection to determine why the RAT deployed without an actual power loss.
• The subsequent return flight, AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi, was cancelled to allow time for technical evaluations.

Safety Measures and Response

Air India stated that grounding the aircraft was a routine precaution consistent with its safety protocols. Alternative arrangements were provided for passengers affected by the cancellation. The airline emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority.

Earlier Comparable Occurrence

A comparable event occurred in June 2025, involving the same model aircraft, when a RAT deployed after both engines shut down due to a fuel supply malfunction. Following that event, Air India introduced more rigorous maintenance checks and inspection procedures across its Boeing 787 fleet.

Expert View

Aviation professionals noted that the RAT system is a critical redundancy feature in modern aircraft design-meant to provide emergency support during rare power failures. The proactive inspection and grounding decision reflect Air India's strong commitment to safety, ensuring each aircraft is fully evaluated before returning to service.