A recent mid-air incident involving an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has triggered fresh concerns regarding the safety and reliability of the aircraft. On October 4, 2025, Air India flight AI117, traveling from Amritsar, India, to Birmingham, England, experienced an "uncommanded" deployment of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) just before landing.
The RAT is an emergency device that automatically deploys to provide essential electrical and hydraulic power in the event of engine failure or major system malfunctions. In this instance, the RAT deployed at approximately 400 feet during the aircraft's final approach, despite the pilots reporting that all electrical and hydraulic systems were functioning normally. The aircraft landed safely in Birmingham, but the incident has prompted investigations and renewed scrutiny of the Dreamliner's safety.
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation into the event. An officer from the Directorate of Air Safety has been assigned to the investigation. Following the incident, Air India grounded the aircraft for a detailed inspection. Boeing, the manufacturer of the 787-8 Dreamliner, conducted maintenance actions and reported no discrepancies, deeming the aircraft structurally and functionally acceptable for continued operation if all steps are satisfactory.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), representing approximately 6,000 pilots, has urged the DGCA to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the electrical systems of all Boeing 787 aircraft operating in India. The FIP highlighted that the Aircraft Health Monitoring (AHM) system detected a fault in the Bus Power Control Unit (BPCU), which may have caused the RAT deployment. The FIP also noted previous incidents involving Boeing 787 electrical systems in India.
This incident has stirred up concerns, especially in light of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025. In that tragic event, Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in 260 fatalities. A preliminary report indicated that the fuel control switches were moved to the "cutoff" position, leading to engine shutdowns and the activation of the RAT. The similarities between the two incidents, involving the same aircraft model and airline, with the RAT deploying either just after takeoff or before landing, have raised concerns.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has faced safety concerns in the past. In 2013, all 787s were grounded worldwide due to fires caused by their lithium-ion batteries. Boeing redesigned the batteries and added better protection systems to prevent fires. There have also been reports of issues with electrical systems and fuel leaks. Whistleblowers have also raised concerns about the aircraft's production and assembly processes.
Despite these concerns, the DGCA had recently inspected Air India's Boeing 787 fleet and found no major problems. Boeing has stated that it is "fully confident" in the safety and durability of the 787 Dreamliner.
The current investigation into the uncommanded RAT deployment is ongoing. The aviation community and the public await the results, hoping for clarity and reassurance regarding the safety of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Air India's safety rating was updated on July 31, 2025 to 3/7, with a failed Fatality Free rating due to the June 12th crash.
