Did RAT Hold the Key? New Clue Emerges In Air India Crash Probe – Explained

India witnessed one of its deadliest aviation disasters last week, claiming the lives of at least 270 people. Emerging evidence suggests that the Air India Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 may have experienced a dual engine failure or a complete electrical or hydraulic systems breakdown.

Captain Steeeve Scheibner, a former US Navy pilot and experienced aviation analyst, believes the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) on the Air India Dreamliner that crashed on June 12 is strong evidence of a catastrophic dual-engine failure - a crucial detail that could significantly shift the understanding of what caused the crash.

In a detailed YouTube video, Captain Steeeve Scheibner breaks down the initial theories that emerged within 48 hours of the Air India AI-171 crash. “There are three camps,” he explains. The first pointed to a dual engine failure - possibly due to a bird strike or fuel contamination. The second focused on incorrect flap settings. The third, which Scheibner initially found most plausible, suggested the copilot may have accidentally retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear.

However, newly surfaced video evidence - clearer than the widely shared earlier clips - has led him to completely reassess his conclusions.

"Right there, my friends. We have circled it for you," Scheibner said, while pointing to the footage. The footage showed a small gray dot beneath the wing -- a protrusion just aft of the right wing - is visible. "That little gray is the RAT," he said. "This is visual confirmation that the RAT deployed."

What Is RAT?

The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is a backup device on aircraft designed to generate emergency power when the main engines fail. It extends into the airstream and harnesses the aircraft’s forward motion to power critical systems like flight controls and hydraulics. Its deployment on AI171 indicates the aircraft likely experienced a severe loss of engine power shortly after takeoff.

Depending on the aircraft model and configuration, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) can supply power to essential systems such as flight controls, instruments, communication equipment, hydraulic systems and basic navigation functions.

Scheibner said, "It's (RAT) is not designed for an airplane at 400 or 500 feet to lose all power." "But it gives you the minimum needed to fly and communicate."

Meanwhile, playing the unedited original crash video, Scheibner said, "You can hear it. It sounds like a high-pitched prop, like a little Cessna going by." Notably, the sound is the RAT spinning at near-sonic speeds to generate emergency power.

Moreover, according to lone survivor's testimony, he heard a loud bang and saw the lights flicker before impct. "That's consistent with RAT deployment," Scheibner said.

A fourth clue, Scheibner noted, is a reported Mayday call in which the captain allegedly cited a loss of thrust - though the ATC audio has yet to be made public.

“This puts the dual engine failure theory in first place,” Scheibner concludes. “But we’re still at square one. We don’t know why both engines on a 787 flamed out after takeoff. It’s a real head-scratcher.”

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