-PJ
Posted on 10/06/2025 7:32:24 AM PDT by Red Badger
An Boeing 787 Dreamliner was forced to deploy its emergency Ram Air Turbine during final approach to Birmingham Airport on Saturday. An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Birmingham landed safely on Saturday, October 4, after the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed during its final approach.
The flight AI117 departed Amritsar Saturday, October 4 2025 for a 10-hour flight to Birmingham, UK. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANO) landed on runway 33 at 19:07 BST while pilots detected deployment of the Ram Air Turbine during final approach to Birmingham.
According to an Air India spokesperson, the aircraft’s electrical and hydraulic systems were operating normally despite the RAT deployment, with all parameters found normal throughout the approach and landing. “All parameters were found normal, and the aircraft performed a safe landing at Birmingham,” the spokesperson confirmed, emphasizing that safety protocols were strictly followed throughout the operation.
Air India flight AI117 on Saturday, October 4 2025 What is a Ram Air Turbine? The Ram Air Turbine is a small, fold-out windmill-like device designed to generate emergency power in case of failure of the main electrical or hydraulic systems. The RAT helps maintain control of essential flight instruments and hydraulic pressure, ensuring safe aircraft handling during emergencies.
The turbine deploys automatically or can be manually activated when aircraft systems detect loss of normal power generation. Once deployed, the device extends into the airstream, where wind force spins the turbine to generate emergency electrical and hydraulic power.
Significantly, Air India confirmed that the aircraft’s electrical and hydraulic systems were operating normally despite the RAT deployment. This suggests that while the emergency system activated, the primary aircraft systems continued functioning, potentially indicating a false trigger or precautionary deployment.
Aircraft Grounded for Inspection Following the incident, the aircraft was immediately grounded for detailed inspections to determine why the RAT deployed and to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness before returning to service.
As a result of the aircraft being grounded for inspections, the return flight AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi was cancelled. Air India confirmed it is making alternative arrangements to accommodate affected passengers and minimize disruption, including rebooking on alternative flights and potentially deploying substitute aircraft to clear the backlog.
I’m sure the maintenance on an Air India 787 is nothing but “top notch”.
——————-
Nothing to do with maintenance, it is a design flaw.
I’m sure the maintenance on an Air India 787 is nothing but “top notch”.
——————-
Nothing to do with maintenance, it is a design flaw.
Eons ago (late 1970s, IIRC) I saw a newspaper editorial cartoon depicting a bunch of armed, camouflaged bunnies parachuting from a C-130 and a (human) officer on the ground shouting into a radio "I asked for the RAPID Deployment Force!!!"
I suspect that is deep into the backgrounds of the pilots trying to figure out which one turned off the fuel.
————————
The 787 has a mode when an engine cuts out it will automatically initiate restart procedures UNCOMANDED.
The Pilots emergency procedures checklist covers that. If an engine flames out, etc the crew is to manually cycle the cut off switch on the pedestal from on to off. If not done, the “ smart” aircraft will do it automatically, without physically cycling the cut off switches.
Air India’s CVR proves neither pilot physically cycled the cut off switches- it was done automatically at the worst time- in Take off configuration.
Boeing has a huge problem.
Wiki has records of each and every Boeing airframe. By far, most of the worst accidents occur in the 3rd world for every reason, any reason or no reason.
Just sayin’.
Sure.
Wait till injury suits bankrupt driverless car makers.
I see tons of computer failures on the ground. Almost every day in varied situations ..
“Oh, the computer is acting very slow... can’t finish this transaction..”
“Hmmm..the information is supposed to be on this screen”
You should see how bad it is in healthcare systems....most times ok, but potentially catastrophic other times. Problem is most users implicitly trust in the information. Why I always get a printout.
-PJ
AI:
“ The Boeing 787 has experienced incidents of uncommanded fuel cut-off, which can occur due to issues with the aircraft’s advanced electronic systems, such as the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). These incidents raise safety concerns and have prompted investigations into the aircraft’s electrical systems and fuel management protocols.
eplaneai.com Business Standard
Overview of Uncommanded Fuel Cut-Off in Boeing 787
Uncommanded fuel cut-off incidents in Boeing 787 aircraft have raised significant safety concerns. These events occur when the fuel supply to the engines is interrupted without pilot input, potentially leading to engine failure.
Recent Incidents
Air India Flight AI171
Date: June 12, 2025
Details: The aircraft experienced a dual engine failure shortly before landing, attributed to a fuel switch transitioning to the “cut-off” position. This incident resulted in a crash, killing all 260 people onboard.
Investigation Findings: Preliminary reports suggest that the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system may have played a role, as it can override pilot commands based on sensor inputs.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Flight Incident
Date: 2019
Details: A similar issue occurred when the fuel switch transitioned on its own during final approach, leading to a dual engine flameout. The aircraft landed safely, but the incident highlighted potential software glitches in the FADEC system.
Safety Measures and Investigations
Regulatory Response: Following the AI171 crash, India’s aviation regulator mandated inspections of fuel switches across Boeing 787 fleets to ensure safety.
Pilot Concerns: The Federation of Indian Pilots has called for thorough checks of the electrical systems in all Boeing 787 aircraft to prevent future incidents.
Conclusion
Uncommanded fuel cut-off incidents in Boeing 787 aircraft pose serious risks, as evidenced by recent crashes. Ongoing investigations aim to address these safety concerns and improve the reliability of aircraft systems.
Uncommanded fuel cut off events are known with Boeing. One can take time and search the FAA advisory and reports to reveal this.Boeing has a big problem.
From what I have read, intentional sabotage is not the official result of the investigation....but something happened with the fuel cut off switches...seems purposeful...could the pilot have been “drug induced”impaired ? Did they find the bodies of the pilots? Were the bodies intact enough for chemical analysis?
I believe an off duty pilot riding in a cockpit in 2023 in USA tried to shut down the engines mid flight....maybe a copycat on Air India?
Air India Flight AI171
Date: June 12, 2025
Details: The aircraft experienced a dual engine failure shortly before landing, attributed to a fuel switch transitioning to the “cut-off” position
++++++++++++
Minor detail. Plane was taking off, not landing. Unless of course you consider the crash one minute after takeoff “a landing”.
“Uncommanded fuel cut off events are known with Boeing. “
How many?
EXACTLY!
I thought it was Birmingham, Alabama, too!
I was thinking, “Air India flies non-stop to Alabama?!?!
“Details: The aircraft experienced a dual engine failure shortly before landing, attributed to a fuel switch transitioning to the “cut-off” position. “
Uncommanded?
LOL!
“The 787 has a mode when an engine cuts out it will automatically initiate restart procedures UNCOMANDED.”
FALSE.
AGAIN.
“If not done, the “ smart” aircraft will do it automatically, without physically cycling the cut off switches.”
FALSE
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.