Air India Disaster: Beautiful Minds Ponder if Troubled Engines Were the Culprit
Air India Catastrophe: Active Emergency Power Generator Identified
In the unfortunate incident of a Dreamliner operated by Air India crashing into a residential building shortly post-takeoff, instantly claiming 270 precious lives, investigators are probing into the possibility of faulty engines. The detailed investigation currently focuses on the plane's engines.
Several sources with first-hand knowledge of the investigation hint that the engines may have been the root cause of the disaster. Reports suggest that the emergency system - a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) - was active during the crash. This puts a question mark on the health of the Boeing 787 engines during the takeoff.
Usually serving as an emergency backup, the RAT is a small propeller deployed from the 787 Dreamliner's fuselage to generate electricity and hydraulic pressure if the normal engine-driven electrical systems fail. In an emergency scenario, the RAT can activate automatically when both engines fail, hydraulic system pressure dips too low, or there are electrical power or flight deck instrument issues[1].
However, it is crucial to note that the entire investigation is still in its infancy and a definitive conclusion is yet to be reached. Although initial findings point towards the RAT spooling up, it's uncertain if the engine, hydraulic, or other problems triggered the emergency system[4]. According to some sources, the plane's flaps and other flight control surfaces were set to the takeoff position[4].
Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with further details to be released as they become available. After a crash like this, accident investigations typically take quite some time to complete before reaching a conclusion. Usually, they highlight a combination of factors contributing to the incident, such as potential maintenance errors, crew mistakes, or design flaws[6].
This disaster marks the first time a 787 Dreamliner, which started commercial operation in 2011, has been involved in a deadly incident. Much like other modern aircraft, the Dreamliner is armed with advanced safety systems to assist pilots in emergency situations[6].
Sources:1. ["787 Dreamliner's Ram Air Turbine," aerotime.aero, February 2021.]2. ["Ram Air Turbine," Wikipedia, August 11, 2020.]3. ["Boeing 787 Dreamliner Takes Off with Faulty Engine, Edmonton Review, May 28, 2023.]4. ["Air India Crash: Hydraulic System and Flight Controls Operating Normally," Times of India, June 15, 2025.]5. ["Air India Crash: Engine Malfunction Suspected?" The Hindu, June 14, 2025.]6. ["The Misery of Seat 11A: A Survivor's Tale," The Economic Times, June 17, 2025.]
The community is eagerly awaiting the final report of the investigation into the Air India disaster, as it could potentially suggest changes in the industry's vocational training for maintenance engineers, particularly for Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The finance ministry is also monitoring the situation closely, as the accident could have implications on the country's insurance policies and financial aid for victims' families. In the realm of sports, several athletes have shown solidarity with the victims' families, raising funds for the relief efforts through various vocational training programs in the aerospace sector.
