Pilots Urge Safety Checks for All Boeing 787s in India

NEW DELHI: The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has called for a comprehensive inspection of the electrical systems in all Boeing 787 aircraft operating in India. This request was made to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following an incident involving an Air India flight from Amritsar to Birmingham, where the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed unexpectedly during the final approach on October 4. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely.

FIP President G S Randhawa highlighted that the Aircraft Health Monitoring (AHM) system detected a fault in the Bus Power Control Unit (BPCU), which may have triggered the RAT's deployment. The RAT is an emergency power system that activates in case of dual engine failure or total electrical failure, using wind speed to generate power for critical systems.

The pilots' body emphasized that this incident is a significant concern, especially in light of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171 on June 12, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The preliminary investigation into that crash indicated issues with the engine fuel control switches, raising alarms about the safety of the Boeing 787 model.

In their letter to the DGCA, the FIP stated, "There have been numerous incidents on B-787 aircraft. We have strongly taken up with the Civil Aviation Ministry and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to thoroughly check the electrical system of all B-787 planes in the country." They noted that after the AI 171 crash, the DGCA only inspected the fuel control switches, neglecting a broader examination of the electrical systems.

The FIP's appeal underscores the need for heightened scrutiny of the Boeing 787's electrical systems to ensure air safety. Meanwhile, Boeing has not commented on either the recent incident or the earlier crash, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the safety of its aircraft in India.