DGCA Air India Inspection: RAT system activated again in Air India’s Boeing 787! DGCA ordered the airline to investigate the entire fleet, while a global report has been sought from Boeing. Are questions being raised on the safety of the Dreamliner?
DGCA Air India 787 RAT System: India’s aviation safety agency DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has ordered Air India to re-inspect the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) system installed in its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. In fact, on October 4, 2025, this emergency system suddenly got activated automatically in AI 117 flight going from Amritsar to Birmingham, which alerted the DGCA. This incident is not trivial because the RAT system is activated only in emergency situations – when the aircraft’s electrical or hydraulic systems fail. But everything was normal here, then how did this system start automatically? This has now become the biggest question.
What does the RAT system do?
RAT (Ram Air Turbine) is actually a small turbine system which is installed under the aircraft. If the aircraft’s main power or engine fails, this turbine rotates under air pressure to generate emergency power so that the pilot can land the aircraft safely. But if this system activates without any reason, it can be a sign of safety risk.
Why did RAT open in AI 117 flight – system failure or mistake in maintenance?
According to sources, this accident happened when the flight was at a height of just 400 feet from Birmingham Airport. The RAT system deployed suddenly, but the pilot landed the aircraft safely. DGCA has ordered the airline to review the recent ‘D-Check Maintenance’ carried out specifically to ensure that no mistakes were made during the replacement of PCM (Power Conditioning Module).
DGCA also asked for report from Boeing – investigation will be done at global level!
DGCA has now asked for a report from Boeing company also. The regulator has asked whether such incidents have happened in other countries of the world, and if so, what preventive measures are being adopted to stop them. Global data and guidelines have been sought from Boeing so that such incidents can be avoided in future.
RAT activation has happened before – remember the incident of June 2024 in Ahmedabad?
Earlier in June 2024, RAT was automatically activated in a 787-8 Dreamliner at Ahmedabad Airport. Investigation at that time revealed that the engine shut down due to fuel supply stoppage, and that is why the RAT system worked. But now the Birmingham incident has given sleepless nights to both Air India and DGCA, because now no technical fault has been found.
DGCA order- RAT system will be re-checked in every 787
DGCA has clarified that Air India will have to re-check the RAT system in all Boeing 787 aircraft where the PCM module has been replaced. From Boeing’s report, DGCA will decide whether it is a global design fault or just a maintenance error.
Is there increased danger for passengers or is this just a safety alert?
Although Air India has said that all systems were normal and the flight landed safely, the DGCA is still looking into the matter on high priority. At present, joint investigation of DGCA and Boeing is going on. This incident has not only increased the responsibility of Air India, but has also forced the Indian aviation sector to re-review the safety protocols. Now everyone’s eyes are on whether there is really any flaw in the RAT system or whether human error created this threat.