Malfunction of dual engines evident in Air India AN171 captured on video
In a shocking turn of events, the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) on Air India Flight AI171 just seconds after takeoff has raised concerns about a potential catastrophic dual engine failure or total loss of hydraulic/electrical power as the cause of the crash. The RAT is an emergency backup system designed to provide minimal power for flight controls and communications in the event both engines fail or there is a complete electrical/hydraulic blackout.
The RAT, a small wind-powered turbine that deploys in extreme emergencies, was activated so soon after takeoff that it is indicative of an extreme emergency, such as simultaneous loss of engine thrust and onboard power systems, making recovery extremely difficult at low altitude.
Further investigations and simulations by pilots have reinforced this focus on technical malfunction, with the simultaneous failures of both engines being a primary hypothesis, although the exact cause of the power loss remains unclear. Videos analyzed by experts showed the RAT’s high-pitched whine, confirming its deployment moments before impact.
Aviation experts, including a former US Navy pilot, have pointed to this dual failure as a plausible explanation for the rapid loss of control and the plane’s crash right after takeoff. The clear whine of the RAT in the new video provides an early technical lead for investigators examining the tragic fate of AI171.
The crash of AI171 has been followed by another fatal aviation disaster, the Kedarnath helicopter crash, just days later. The nation is struck by two fatal aviation disasters in a short period of time. Investigators are now examining both incidents to determine the causes of these disasters.
A crucial piece of evidence in the investigation of AI171 is the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which has been found in the wreckage. A preliminary report on the series of events that caused the crash is expected to be available within weeks.
The RAT played a significant role in the survival of US Airways flight 1549, later known as the "Miracle on the Hudson," in 2009, when it lost both engines after striking a flock of geese. In that instance, the RAT provided enough power to allow the plane to glide safely onto the Hudson River, saving all passengers and crew.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, on which the RAT is installed, is equipped with this emergency system to ensure safety in the event of critical technical failures. In some aircraft, the RAT deploys automatically in emergencies, while pilots also have the option to manually engage it from the cockpit.
As the investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash continues, the focus remains on the potential technical malfunctions that may have led to the disaster. The findings from this investigation could have far-reaching implications for the safety of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and other aircraft equipped with similar emergency systems.
The shocking deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) on Air India Flight AI171 could be linked to a dual engine failure or a total loss of hydraulic/electrical power, highlighting the need for technology advancements in general-news. Furthermore, the activation of the RAT so soon after takeoff could suggest a crime-and-justice scenario, where the onboard power systems might have been intentionally sabotaged, leading to the plane's crash.
