DGCA to Conduct Detailed Probe into Uncommanded RAT Deployment on Air India Aircraft
A Serious Mid-Air Safety Alert
India’s aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced a detailed technical investigation after the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) on an Air India aircraft deployed without any command during flight. The RAT is an essential emergency device that is meant to provide power in the event of a complete loss of electricity — its unexpected turning on in the course of a regular flight has caused serious worry about safety.
Why This Incident Matters
The RAT is not supposed to deploy unless the aircraft faces a severe power loss. When it activates without a trigger, it indicates either a potential technical malfunction or a hidden system fault. This makes it a serious red flag for both the airline and regulators.
The DGCA has confirmed it will carry out a root-cause analysis, examining every layer — from hardware and sensors to software algorithms and operational procedures. The focus will be on identifying why the system behaved unexpectedly and whether any wider fleet-level risks exist.
Aviation Safety Under Spotlight
Indeed, these events demonstrate that strong safety supervision and technical audits are important. The involuntary RAT deployment might also encourage producers and carriers to evaluate their system backups, as well as the process of notifying the concerned parties, afresh.
This investigation’s results could not only India set new standards for safety regulations but also other countries around the world. For the time being, the DGCA is adamant—no technical irregularity will be missed.
Source: PTI
