Boeing 787 Dreamliner Safety Concerns Rise in India After Fuel Switch Incident
A preliminary report into a June crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has revealed that the fuel control switches were moved to 'cutoff', starving the engines of fuel and activating the Ram Air Turbine (RAT). This has raised fresh concerns about the safety of the aircraft in India, following a similar incident in October.
Air India's flight AI 117, which took off from Amritsar on October 4, 2025, experienced an unexpected deployment of the RAT mid-air. Despite this, all electrical and hydraulic parameters remained normal, and the aircraft landed safely. The RAT, a backup generator, typically activates only when there are issues with the aircraft's engines, hydraulics, or electrical systems.
The incident has sparked concern among Indian pilots. Charanvir Singh Randhawa, president of the Federation of Indian Pilots, has described the unexpected RAT deployment as a serious concern that warrants a detailed inquiry. He has urged India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation to inspect all Boeing 787 Dreamliners operating in the country for electrical issues.
The recent incidents involving Boeing 787 Dreamliners in India have highlighted the need for thorough investigations into the aircraft's electrical systems. While the aircraft in the October incident landed safely, the potential risks cannot be overlooked. The Indian civil aviation regulator is expected to carry out inspections as requested by the pilots' federation.
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