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NEW DELHI: The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) on Monday urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the electrical systems in all Boeing 787 aircraft operating in India, following a recent incident involving an Air India flight to Birmingham.On Friday, Air India flight AI-117, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner (VT-ANO), landed safely in Birmingham after its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed during final approach.In an aircraft, RAT gets deployed automatically in the eventuality of a dual engine failure or total electronic or hydraulic failure. RAT uses wind speed to generate emergency power.In a written email to the DGCA, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the FIP referred to the incident, stating that the aircraft’s RAT automatically deployed at around 500 feet. The Aircraft Health Monitoring (AHM) system detected a fault in the Bus Power Control Unit (BPCU), which may have triggered the deployment.The FIP noted that several incidents involving Boeing 787 electrical systems have been reported in India since the aircraft’s induction. “We have strongly urged MoCA and AAIB to conduct a thorough examination of the electrical systems of all B-787 aircraft in the country,” the email said. Referring to the earlier Air India-171 crash, the FIP added, “In the interest of air safety, DGCA must carry out a detailed investigation of the B-787 electrical systems.”Taking cognisance of the matter, the aviation watchdog assigned a probe into the deployment of “uncommanded Ram Air Turbine (RAT)” at 400ft before landing.The aviation regulator body has assigned the probe to a Deputy Air Safety Officer (Northern Region), DAS(NR).The DGCA said Boeing, the manufacturer of Air India’s aircraft, recommended maintenance actions for the uncommanded RAT deployment “have been carried out with no discrepancies found”.”On 04.10.2025, Air India B787-8 aircraft VT-ANO operated flight AI-117 (Amritsar- Birmingham). During landing at 400ft RAT unlock message came and RAT got deployed. Pilot did not report of any related abnormality. aircraft landed safely. Boeing recommended maintainance actions for uncommanded RAT deployment have been carried out and no discrepancy has been observed. Aircraft is being released for service [sic],” the DGCA was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The aviation regulator body said Boeing issued a FLEET TEAM DIGEST, which is a summary report for all operators of 787s and that the report included previous similar incidents.”Boeing has issued FLEET TEAM DIGEST containing brief of previous such cases. The matter requires detailed investigation. An officer from DAS(NR) has been assigned this investigation,” the DGCA added. Air India on Sunday said it cancelled its Birmingham-Delhi flight as the aircraft was grounded for inspection.”The operating crew of flight AI117 from Amritsar to Birmingham on 4 October 2025 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,” the Tata Group-owned Air India said in a statement.The airline, however, did not share specific details, including the number of people on board.It may be mentioned here that both engine or hydraulic/ electrical failure or software malfunction are also being cited as among the several probable causes of the Air India Boeing 787 plane crash in June this year.On June 12, Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI 171 en route to London Gatwick crashed into a medical hostel complex soon after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 241 persons who were onboard the plane.India’s aircraft accident bureau, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), is probing the crash.
