Aircraft in question, Air India's AN171, faces suspected double engine malfunction as captured on video footage.
The recent release of a clearer video of Air India flight AI171's crash has provided a critical insight into the tragic incident. The sound of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) in the enhanced footage strongly indicates a dual-engine failure or a total electrical/hydraulic system failure shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
Aviation experts, including Captain Steve Scheibner, a former US Navy pilot, have analysed the sharper footage and sound and concluded that this is strong visual and auditory proof of a catastrophic failure. The RAT's automatic deployment, visible under the aircraft’s belly just before the crash, and the distinctive high-pitched whine of the RAT spinning, are key pieces of evidence.
The RAT is a small wind-powered turbine that emerges from the aircraft fuselage during extreme emergencies, designed to provide the minimum needed to fly and communicate when a plane loses both engines or experiences a complete failure of electrical or hydraulic systems. In many aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the RAT is considered a last-resort system.
The aircraft's struggle to maintain altitude and rapid descent after takeoff are also consistent with both engines losing power and the RAT deploying as a last-resort system. A survivor's report of a loud bang and cabin lights flickering further supports the theory of a severe mechanical or electrical malfunction.
The RAT's activation in AI171 is a significant lead for investigators examining the tragic fate of the flight. It draws energy from the airstream generated by the aircraft's forward motion, powering essential avionics such as critical instruments, flight controls, navigation tools, and communication equipment. These essential avionics allow pilots to radio for help in critical situations.
The RAT played a significant role in the successful landing 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.
This new evidence provides a crucial step forward in understanding the cause of the Air India flight AI171 crash. The investigation is ongoing, and further analysis of the data and evidence will be needed to confirm the exact cause of the tragedy.
The triggering event for aviation experts and industry analysts has been the release of the detailed video, as it sheds light on the airline news surrounding Air India flight AI171's crash. This incident, coupled with the industry's reliance on the RAT during emergencies, suggests a potential connection between the RAT's deployment and financial implications for the airline, as well as broader repercussions for the aerospace sector.
