Why the RAT Changes Everything – Air India 171 Update

Date: June 16, 2025

Introduction: A Critical Piece in the Air India 171 Puzzle

The investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 has taken a pivotal turn following revelations about the status and operation of the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT). Aviation experts now believe that the RAT’s deployment—or potential failure to deploy—may hold the key to understanding the sequence of events that led to the catastrophe.

What is the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)?

The Ram Air Turbine is a small, propeller-driven turbine designed to deploy automatically in the event of a complete loss of engine power. Its primary function is to provide emergency hydraulic and electrical power, enabling pilots to maintain essential flight controls and instruments during critical failures.

In commercial aviation, the RAT is a last-resort safety device, often credited with saving lives in past emergencies by giving crews a limited but vital power source when all else fails.

The RAT’s Role in Air India Flight 171

Preliminary analysis of the recovered flight data recorder (black box) has highlighted anomalies regarding the RAT’s deployment sequence. According to sources close to the investigation:

The RAT either deployed significantly later than expected or did not provide sufficient power to critical systems.
This delay or failure may have contributed to the loss of key flight instruments and control surfaces, reducing the pilots’ ability to manage the emergency effectively.
Ground witnesses reported flickering lights and loss of communication shortly before the crash, consistent with electrical system failures linked to RAT issues.

Why Does the RAT Change Everything?

1. Reassessing Pilot Response and Aircraft Systems

Understanding the RAT’s behavior reframes the entire emergency timeline. If the RAT failed to deploy promptly:

The cockpit would have faced an immediate and severe power shortage, complicating the pilots’ decision-making.
Many automatic safety systems, which rely on hydraulic or electrical power, may have been offline, increasing pilot workload and stress.

2. Implications for Aircraft Maintenance and Design

If a RAT malfunction occurred due to mechanical failure or maintenance oversight, it raises questions about Air India’s safety protocols and Boeing’s system redundancies for the 787 Dreamliner fleet.

Expert Opinions

Aviation safety analyst Dr. Anjali Mehta said:

“The RAT is the aircraft’s lifeline in emergencies. Any delay or failure in its deployment can critically degrade the crew’s ability to control the plane.”

Former Boeing engineer Mark Reynolds added:

“Modern aircraft are designed with multiple redundancies, but when the RAT fails or delays, it’s a catastrophic single point of failure.”

What Happens Next?

The investigation team is prioritizing a full forensic analysis of the RAT mechanism and its control systems. They are also reviewing maintenance records, pilot training logs, and Boeing’s manufacturing data to identify any underlying causes.

Related Articles for More Context

Inside the Black Box: What Flight Data Reveals – BBC
The Importance of RATs in Aviation Safety – FlightGlobal
Air India Crash: Survivors and Eyewitness Reports – CNN

Conclusion

The role of the Ram Air Turbine in the Air India 171 crash investigation has emerged as a game-changer. It highlights not only potential technical failures but also underscores the vital importance of emergency systems that can mean the difference between disaster and survival.

As the investigation proceeds, the aviation industry watches closely, hopeful that lessons learned here will improve safety standards worldwide.

Published: June 16, 2025