Pilots Call for DGCA Review of B787 Electrical Systems Following Air India Incident
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to carry out a comprehensive inspection of the electrical systems across all Boeing 787 aircraft operating within India.
This request, made on October 5, 2025, arose after a noteworthy incident involving an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The aircraft was prompted to make an emergency landing in the UK when its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed unexpectedly during its final approach.
On October 4, Air India flight AI117, traveling from Amritsar (ATQ) to Birmingham (BHX), experienced the automatic deployment of the RAT at around 500 feet during descent. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely, and the airline reported that all systems functioned normally throughout the flight.
The RAT acts as a small turbine that activates automatically during scenarios of dual engine failure or complete electrical and hydraulic system failure, providing emergency power for essential systems. An Air India representative confirmed that despite the RAT deployment, the aircraft’s electrical and hydraulic systems continued to operate without issues.
In a formal communication to the DGCA, FIP President GS Randhawa pointed out that the Aircraft Health Monitoring (AHM) system on the Boeing 787 had identified a fault in the Bus Power Control Unit (BPCU), which may have been the cause of the RAT’s activation.
“The Aircraft Health Monitoring system has detected a fault in the Bus Power Control Unit, which may have triggered the auto deployment of the RAT,” Randhawa stated.
The BPCU plays a crucial role in managing the electrical power distribution of an aircraft, and any malfunction in this component can interfere with power management, leading to activation of backup systems.
The FIP conveyed that this incident underscores potential systemic electrical vulnerabilities in Boeing 787 aircraft. The federation referred to several previous incidents and emphasized the importance of thorough inspections for all B787 aircraft operating in the country.
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