Ahmedabad crash: What is Ram Air Turbine (RAT) that may have played a role in disaster

The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is a compact emergency device found on many modern aircraft, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It remains hidden during normal flight and is automatically deployed during a severe systems failure, such as a dual engine failure, or a total loss of electrical or hydraulic power. Once deployed, it uses the aircraft’s forward motion to spin like a small windmill, generating emergency power to keep essential flight systems functioning—such as flight controls, navigation, and communications.

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The RAT is designed to give pilots minimal but crucial support during catastrophic failures, allowing them a fighting chance to control the aircraft and attempt a safe landing.

In the Ahmedabad air crash on June 12, which claimed over 270 lives, the RAT was visibly and audibly deployed shortly after takeoff. This suggests that the aircraft—an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner—may have suffered either a dual-engine failure, a total electrical failure, or a hydraulic system failure just seconds after leaving the runway. The deployment of the RAT, confirmed through clearer video and audio evidence, is a key indicator that the aircraft was experiencing a major system collapse, offering critical clues for investigators analyzing one of India’s worst aviation disasters.