An Air India flight AI117, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, from Amritsar to Birmingham, UK, experienced an unexpected deployment of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during its final approach on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Despite the incident, the aircraft landed safely at Birmingham Airport at 7:07 PM local time, with all passengers and crew unharmed.

Following the safe landing, Air India confirmed that all electrical and hydraulic systems were functioning normally. An airline spokesperson stated that the crew detected the RAT deployment during the final approach, but the aircraft's systems were unaffected. The airline emphasized that safety protocols were strictly followed throughout the operation.

The Ram Air Turbine is a critical safety device that automatically deploys to generate emergency power in the event of a dual engine failure or total electrical or hydraulic failure. It is a small, fold-out, windmill-like device that uses wind speed to generate power, ensuring essential flight instruments and hydraulic systems remain operational. This allows the pilots to maintain control of the aircraft during an emergency.

As a precautionary measure, the aircraft has been grounded for thorough technical inspections. Consequently, the return flight AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi has been canceled. Air India is currently making alternative arrangements to accommodate affected passengers and minimize disruption to their travel plans.

Air India has reaffirmed that the safety of its passengers and crew remains their top priority. The airline's prompt response and the proper functioning of the RAT system ensured a secure landing, highlighting the effectiveness of the airline's emergency response procedures.

A similar incident involving the same aircraft model, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, occurred in June of this year, when a RAT deployed after take-off from Ahmedabad. An interim probe into that incident suggested a fuel supply cutoff led to engine shutdowns, triggering the emergency mechanism.