Indian Pilots Urge Grounding Boeing 787s After Emergency Power Deployment

India's Federation of Indian Pilots has demanded urgent inspections and grounding of all Boeing 787 Dreamliners in the country after an Air India flight unexpectedly activated its emergency ram air turbine (RAT) system during landing in Birmingham, England. The RAT, which provides emergency power in cases of engine or electrical failure, deployed despite no reported loss of power or hydraulic issues, prompting safety concerns. This incident follows a June crash of another Air India 787 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, which resulted in 260 fatalities and involved a similar emergency turbine deployment. Although initial inspections of the recent flight found no abnormalities, the pilots' association, representing over 6,000 members, insists on thorough checks of the planes' electrical systems to ensure safety. Air India operates 34 Boeing 787s, and experts and regulators are investigating the cause of both the June crash and the recent RAT deployment. The situation has heightened scrutiny over the Dreamliner's electrical reliability in India, with calls for comprehensive safety measures to prevent future incidents.