Air India Amritsar-UK Flight Lands Safely After RAT Deploys In Final Approach, Aircraft Grounded

An Air India flight from Amritsar to Birmingham in the United Kingdom landed safely in the city after it experienced the deployment of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during final approach on Saturday.

According to an official statement, all electrical and hydraulic systems were later found functioning normal.

However, the aircraft was grounded for checks, thus leading to the cancellation of the subsequent flight from Birmingham to New Delhi.

“On 4 October 2025, Air India flight AI117 from Amritsar to Birmingham experienced deployment of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during final approach,” the official statement from the airline read.

“All electrical and hydraulic systems were normal, and the aircraft landed safely,” it added.

“The aircraft has been grounded

for checks, leading to the cancellation of AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi, with alternative arrangements being made,” the statement read.

WHAT IS RAM AIR TURBINE?

The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is a small, fold-out windmill-like device on an aircraft that automatically deploys (pops out into the airflow) when the plane loses its main electrical or hydraulic power, typically due to an engine or generator failure.

When deployed, the RAT uses the airflow from the moving aircraft to generate emergency power and maintain control of key flight systems like basic flight instruments, hydraulic pressure for control surfaces, and sometimes limited electrical power.

In September, an Air India Express passenger on a flight from Bengaluru to Varanasi tried to open the cockpit door, allegedly searching for the lavatory.

The man, one among nine on board, was detained by crew members and handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force upon landing.

An Air India Express spokesperson said, “We are aware of media reports regarding an incident on one of our flights to Varanasi, where a passenger approached the cockpit entry area while looking for the lavatory.”

The airline said that “robust safety and security protocols are in place and were not compromised” and that the incident has been reported to the relevant authorities.

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