Indian Pilots Demand Grounding and Inspection of All Boeing 787s After Air India Midair Emergency System Failure

India’s largest pilots’ group escalated safety demands after an Air India Boeing 787’s emergency power device—the ram air turbine (RAT)—unexpectedly deployed on Flight AI-117 approaching Birmingham.

“Air India flight from Amritsar to Birmingham suffers scare as Dreamliner aircraft’s emergency turbine unexpectedly deploys just before landing I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent”

The Independent

The deployment occurred even though engines and main systems were reported normal.

The Independent

The Federation of Indian Pilots called for regulators to ground or at least comprehensively inspect all 787s in India.

Accounts differ on whether the demand is for full grounding or inspections only.

Air India said initial checks showed normal electrical and hydraulic systems, and the flight landed safely.

The incident has revived scrutiny of the Dreamliner in India following a deadly June crash of another Air India 787.

Accounts differ on the flight’s origin and on what regulators did next, but several outlets agree the RAT deployed on final approach and that initial checks showed no anomalies.

Aviation Nepal reports AI-117 was flying from Delhi to Birmingham, that the RAT deployed at about 400 feet AGL, and that a Bus Power Control Unit fault was recorded.

New York Post

It also says the DGCA launched an investigation, temporarily grounded the airframe, and canceled the return AI-118.

By contrast, Associated Press and New York Post say the flight was from Amritsar to Birmingham and emphasize that Air India’s initial checks found normal electrical and hydraulic systems.

The Independent adds that while the aircraft resumed the Birmingham–Delhi route, regulators had not yet confirmed if they would investigate, and Boeing deferred comment.

The latest scare is being interpreted through the lens of a deadly June 2025 787 crash involving Air India flight 171.

“India's largest pilots' association is urging aviation regulators to ground all Boeing 787 aircraft in the country for electrical system inspections, following an incident in which an emergency power device unexpectedly deployed during a recent Air India flight”

newser

Sources diverge on key facts about the incident.

Western mainstream outlets such as Associated Press, New York Post, and The Independent report that 260 people were killed.

In contrast, PYOK (Other) reports 130 fatalities.

Multiple outlets indicate that fuel-control switches were moved to cutoff, shutting down the engines.

PYOK and The Independent also note that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed during the crash.

IBTimes UK adds that the June crash has triggered lawsuits against Boeing and Honeywell.

These lawsuits have increased scrutiny of the 787's reliability.

The scope and stakes of the situation in India are considerable.

PYOK (Other) notes that Air India is the only Indian carrier operating 787 aircraft, with a fleet of 34 jets including 787-8s and 787-9s.

International Business Times UK

The New York Post (Western Mainstream) highlights that the Federation of Indian Pilots represents around 6,000 pilots.

IBTimes UK (Western Mainstream) describes the episode as damaging public confidence and putting pressure on regulators and manufacturers.

Some pilots are advocating for a temporary grounding of the affected aircraft.

The Independent (Western Mainstream) and Aviation Nepal (Other) report that the affected aircraft or route returned to service after inspections.

Aviation Nepal adds that the specific aircraft was briefly grounded and its return flight was canceled.

The cause of the RAT activation remains unknown.

“India’s largest association of pilots has called on regulators to ground all Boeing 787 Dreamliners in the country pending urgent safety checks on the plane’s electrical systems after an emergency power system was activated in the final moments of an Air India flight from Amritsar to Birmingham, England, on Sunday”

PYOK

Air India’s initial inspections reportedly found normal electrical and hydraulic systems.

PYOK

PYOK states that inspections revealed no technical problems.

IBTimes UK suggests the possibility of a false trigger or sensor malfunction.

The same source notes increasing pressure on regulators and manufacturers.

Aviation Nepal mentions a BPCU fault and reports that the FIP requested the DGCA to collaborate with Boeing.

The goal is to determine if repeated RAT deployments indicate a wider design or reliability concern.

Pilots’ groups across various outlets are calling for comprehensive system checks.

These calls include the possibility of temporary grounding until the root cause is confirmed.