Crash Investigation Zeroes in on Air India Dreamliner Engines
Active emergency power generator found in Air India crash site
In a major calamity, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashes, leaving at least 270 passengers and people on the ground dead. The catastrophe, which unfolded shortly after takeoff, has left the world in shock, and investigators are now scrutinizing the engines as the possible culprit.
Intriguing speculations about the engines' condition during takeoff swirl, as preliminary investigations hint that the emergency generator was activated during the crash. Known as a Ram Air Turbine (RAT), this system typically functions as a backup power source when regular engines fail or the pressure in the hydraulic systems drops excessively [1]. The RAT can also be activated manually by pilots when they suspect both engines have failed due to factors like bird strikes or fuel problems [2].
Despite this revelation, the investigation doesn't culminate yet. Investigators are yet to pinpoint the exact reason behind the emergency generator activation and whether engine, hydraulic, or other issues triggered it [3]. Some sources suggest that the flight control surfaces, including the flaps, were configured for takeoff [4].
Notably, the right engine on the Air India Dreamliner had been replaced just three months before the crash [5]. Experts muse over the prospect of internal engine failures such as computer faults or fuel supply problems, though no distinctive signs like fire or smoke were observed [1]. Such issues could cause the engine to lose power without any visible external symptoms.
Governmental entities remain mum on the matter; ongoing investigation reports will provide further insights as the probe delves deeper. Accident investigations often take a prolonged period, unmasking a cornucopia of factors contributing to a crash, such as maintenance blunders, human errors, or design flaws [6].
Notes:
- Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
- Anthony Brickhouse, aviation and aerospace safety consultant
- Ministry of Civil Aviation, India
- Flightradar24
- Naval Postgraduate School (PDF)
- NTV Deutschland (in German)
As the investigation into the Air India Dreamliner crash continues, speculations arise about the role of the aircraft's engines and the possible activation of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during takeoff. Authorities are contemplating the reasons behind the emergency generator's activation and whether it was triggered by engine, hydraulic, or other issues. In the midst of this, the right engine on the Air India Dreamliner had been replaced just three months before the crash, leaving experts to ponder the possibility of internal engine failures. The outcome of the investigation could potentially uncover maintenance errors, human errors, or design flaws contributing to the catastrophe, much like other accident inquiries have done in the past. Meanwhile, finance and industry stakeholders await the final report to gauge any potential impact on vocational training or transportation sectors, including aviation and sports.
