Latest news with #B787-9
News18
05-08-2025
- Business
- News18
2 Boeing 787 Models Flagged Over Fittings: Why RAT, Which Prevents Air Crash, Can't Have Glitches
Last Updated: 'We issued guidance to our B787-9 and B787-10 customers in February 2025 and fully support the FAA's proposal to make that guidance mandatory," said Boeing The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has flagged a safety concern involving Boeing's 787 aircraft, saying operators of Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 models will have to adopt a new 'airworthiness directive (AD)". 'This proposed AD was prompted by reports of multiple supplier notices of escapement (NOEs) indicating that ram air turbine (RAT) forward fittings were possibly manufactured with an incorrect titanium alloy material," read a part of the summary of the document, the Financial Express reported. FAA's warning & Boeing response The reported added, 'The titanium material that was possibly used is a Grade 1 or 2 commercially pure unalloyed titanium, which has significantly reduced strength, fatigue and damage tolerance properties compared to the type design Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V alloy material." According to a report by Aviation A2Z, the substandard titanium is believed to have been sourced from China and was supplied by Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier to both Boeing and Airbus. The affected aircraft were assembled at Boeing's facility in North Charleston, South Carolina. The FAA further warned that using incorrect alloy material could lead to a failure of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during deployment. 'We issued guidance to our B787-9 and B787-10 customers in February 2025 and fully support the FAA's proposal to make that guidance mandatory," TOI attributed this statement to Boeing. How many Boeing 787-9 aircraft does Air India operate? According to a report by TOI, Air India currently operates Boeing 787-9 aircraft that were previously part of Vistara's fleet before the merger. Prior to the merger, Air India primarily operated the 787-8 variant of the Dreamliner, which may not fall under the scope of the FAA's latest directive and therefore might not require the same checks. Is it the same aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad? No. The aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The RAT on this aircraft was deployed moments after it took off from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, killing all but one passenger. What is RAT? A Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is a small, retractable, wind-powered turbine used as an emergency backup power source on modern aircraft, including the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10. It plays a critical safety role in ensuring that essential systems continue to function in the event of a complete or partial power failure. It is a propeller-driven turbine that deploys into the airstream outside the aircraft. As air flows through the turbine during flight, it spins and generates hydraulic or electrical power to operate vital systems. It is typically stored in a compartment (often in the fuselage or wing root), and automatically or manually deployed during emergencies. It uses the aircraft's forward motion (airflow) to generate energy. Provides emergency electrical power, and in some aircraft, hydraulic power. Why is the RAT key to aircraft functioning? The RAT is not used during normal operation. It becomes critical in emergency scenarios such as: 1. Loss of engine power 2. Loss of electrical generators 3. Loss of hydraulic systems (in some aircraft) In such cases, the RAT provides just enough power to keep essential systems running, such as flight control systems (fly-by-wire), instrumentation and displays, communication and navigation equipment and some hydraulic actuators (depending on design). Without the RAT, pilots could lose control of the aircraft due to the failure of fly-by-wire or hydraulic systems. What happens if the RAT malfunctions? A malfunctioning RAT can lead to severe consequences, especially if: Potential impacts of a RAT failure: Loss of control: On fly-by-wire aircraft like the Boeing 787, flight controls need power to function. Loss of critical avionics: Navigation, displays, radios may stop working. Emergency descent challenges: Pilots may not be able to manage cabin pressurization or communications effectively. Hydraulic failure (if applicable): Some flight surfaces may become inoperative. RAT in Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 The Boeing 787 family uses a highly electric architecture with electrically actuated flight controls (no traditional hydraulic flight controls). In the event of power loss, the RAT becomes the last-resort power source. Have there been any RAT related incidents? Air Transat Flight 236: Airbus A330 ran out of fuel over the Atlantic. RAT provided power for glide and safe landing. US Airways Flight 1549: After bird strike and dual engine loss, RAT powered vital controls for a successful ditching in the Hudson River. With Agency Inputs About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 05, 2025, 13:27 IST News explainers 2 Boeing 787 Models Flagged Over Fittings: Why RAT, Which Prevents Air Crash, Can't Have Glitches Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. 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Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fuel switch check mandated by DGCA: How many Boeing 787, 737 aircraft active in India
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday ordered the checking of fuel switch locking systems in the Boeing 787 and 737 planes of all airlines operating in the country. This brings into focus the numbers and spread of these planes in their fleets. The Air India Group has already initiated inspection of the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft.(HT_PRINT) The aviation watchdog's direction came after a preliminary probe report on the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, in which 260 people died, spotlighted the fuel switches. The report said one of the pilots asked the other about why the fuel was 'cut off', to which the other said he had not done that. It remains to be investigated how the switches moved, if they did. The US aviation watchdog had in 2018 advised ailrlines to check the locking system that prevents accidental use of the switches. But Air India said it did not check it because the suggestion was 'advisory' and 'not mandatory'. Now with the DGCA stepping into mandate the check, here are some key numbers: At present, there are over 150 Boeing 737 and 787 planes operational in India. The domestic airlines operating the models are Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and IndiGo. Indigo has seven B737 Max 8 and one B787-9 in its fleet, all of these being on either wet or damp lease. A wet lease means the plane, all crew and other staff, while a damp lease includes the plane and flight crew, but not cabin crew. Being on lease, these planes are not registered in India and therefore, would not be subject to DGCA's directive. Air India has 33 wide-body Boeing 787 planes, and Air India Express has around 75 narrow-body 737s. The Air India Group has already initiated inspection of the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. The checks for 737s are almost complete while half of the 787s have also been inspected, PTI quoted sources as saying. Further, the DGCA on Monday said that it had learnt that several international as well as domestic carriers had launched inspections of their aircraft as per FAA's SAIB. Fuel switch flagged by US FAA in 2018 The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel switch locking system in some Boeing models, including 787 and 737, in 2018. The FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin had highlighted the issue, but did not issue a directive, thus sparking no sparking no safety concerns. In its order on Monday, though, the DGCA stated, "... all airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection... no later than 21st July 2025." The probe report into the June 12 crash had stated that fuel supply to both engines in AI-171 was cut off within a second.
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Eight B787 aircraft inspected after Air India crash: Aviation minister
New Delhi: Eight out of the total 34 B787 fleet have already been inspected, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Saturday while addressing the media on the Air India flight that crashed on Thursday. 'As per extended surveillance ordered by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) on Friday, eight of the total 34 B787 have already been inspected,' Naidu said. The minister did not elaborate on the findings of the surveillance. However, people familiar with the matter said that there were no issues found in the eight inspected 787s. Naidu also said that the black box was recovered at around 5pm on Friday. People familiar with the matter said that it's the flight data recorder (FDR) of the black box that was found on Friday and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is yet to be found. To be sure, Air India had 34 B787 in its fleet before the crash. IndiGo has a B787-9 aircraft but with a foreign registration. 241 out of the total 242 people (230 passengers and 12 crew members) were killed when an Air India Boeing 787-8 dreamliner from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed moments after taking off on Thursday afternoon, marking the worst air tragedy in the country in three decades. Officials said at least 50 people were injured in the medical college hostel where the jet rammed into as it turned into a fireball. Samir Kumar Sinha, civil aviation secretary, said, 'Air India B787-8 aircraft flew to Paris-Delhi, and Delhi- Ahmedabad route without any issues before the crash,' 'The crash happened at 1.40pm and a team of DGCA, BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), AAI (Airports Authority of India), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and myself reached the crash site around 6pm until when the fire was doused by the local authorities,' Sinha said. The government at around 12.40am on Saturday issued an order stating that a high-level multi disciplinary committee headed by home secretary. THe committee will also have heads from DGCA and BCAS, secretary of civil aviation, representative from the Gujarat home department, representative from the state disaster response authority, police commissioner of Ahmedabad, the director general (DG), Inspection and Safety of the Indian Air Force, special director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), and director of the Directorate of Forensic Science Services. Naidu said that the committee would have a 'holistic' approach. He, however, did not elaborate on the progress of the investigation.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo starts Europe & UK flights from July 1; will finally serve hot meals onboard
NEW DELHI: Using the wet lease route to expand its international network, IndiGo will, from July 1, 2025, launch thrice weekly flights between Mumbai and Manchester. And from the next day, IndiGo will start nonstop flights between Mumbai and Amsterdam. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Both these thrice weekly routes will be launched using the wet-leased (hired with operating crew) of Norse Atlantic. With Pakistan airspace closed for overflying by Indian carriers, IndiGo has started its Europe flights from Mumbai. And not the national capital, to avoid the much longer routes they would have had to take. 'Upgrading its in-flight dining experience, complimentary hot meals and beverages will be served to all customers' on the two routes, the airline said. Meals sold on board IUndiGo flights — almost all cold except the dip-in-hot-water-for-five-minute versions — have long been the biggest chink in its otherwise formidable armour which has made this LCC biggest Indian airline with over 60% domestic market share. Now, this issue has been resolved with the Europe flights it launches from July. IndiGo says the Amsterdam and Manchester routes are 'the start of an exciting new chapter in IndiGo's growth journey… The introduction of more B787-9 from Norse, and the arrival of IndiGo's Airbus A321XLRs (extra long range) starting this year and A350 from 2027 will usher a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo's unique value proposition,' the airline says. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: 'I am thrilled to announce IndiGo's long-haul debut... We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo's unparalleled domestic network, showcasing 'India by IndiGo' to foreign travellers. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we're very proud to announce specially curated complimentary hot meals and beverages by iconic home-grown Indian brands will be served to all our customers on this route. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This will be a major milestone in our international growth journey as we move towards our vision to become a global aviation leader, propelling India's ambition of transforming into a global aviation hub. With every new global connection, IndiGo is taking India to the world and bringing the world to India.'
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
IndiGo to start Europe & UK flights from July 1; will finally serve hot meals onboard
NEW DELHI: Using the wet lease route to expand its international network, IndiGo will from July 1, 2025, launch thrice weekly flights between Mumbai and Manchester. And from the next day, IndiGo will start nonstops between Mumbai and Amsterdam. Both these thrice weekly routes will be launched using the wet leased Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (hired with operating crew) of Norse Atlantic. With Pakistan airspace closed for overflying by Indian carriers, IndiGo has started its Europe flights from Mumbai. And not the national capital to avoid the much longer routes they would have had to take. 'Upgrading its in-flight dining experience, complimentary hot meals and beverages will be served to all customers' on thee two routes, the airline said. Meals sold on board IndiGo flights — almost all cold except the dip-in-hot-water-for-five-minute versions — have long been the biggest chink in its otherwise formidable armour which has made this LCC biggest Indian airline with over 60% domestic market share. Now, this issue has been resolved with the Europe flights it launches from July. IndiGo says the Amsterdam and Manchester routes are 'the start of an exciting new chapter in IndiGo's growth journey… The introduction of more B787-9 from Norse, and the arrival of IndiGo's Airbus A321XLRs (extra long range) starting this year and A350 from 2027 will usher a new era enabling the airline to offer long-haul flights with IndiGo's unique value proposition,' the airline says. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: 'I am thrilled to announce IndiGo's long-haul debut... We are stretching our wings further to enhance accessibility and convenience to customers traveling to Europe for leisure, business, and education, as well as unlocking IndiGo's unparalleled domestic network, showcasing 'India by IndiGo' to foreign travellers. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we're very proud to announce specially curated complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route. This will be a major milestone in our international growth journey as we move towards our vision to become a global aviation leader, propelling India's ambition of transforming into a global aviation hub…. With every new global connection, IndiGo is taking India to the world and bringing the world to India Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
