Air India flight’s emergency-power system likely active before crash: WSJ
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The news: Investigators looking in to cause of the Air India plane crash which killed 270 people believe that the Boeing plane had an emergency-power generator operating when it crashed just 50 seconds after takeoff, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The context: The preliminary finding, according to sources cited by the WSJ, raises questions as to whether the plane’s engines were functioning properly during takeoff from India’s Ahmedabad airport.
The emergency system, known as a ram air turbine, is a small propellor that drops from the bottom of the 787 Dreamliner’s fuselage and acts as a back up generator. Typically, engines produce electricity for an aircraft to help run flight-control systems, but the ram air turbine power can also enable important aircraft systems to function.
The WSJ explains that if both engines fail, or if all three hydraulic system pressures are low, the ram air turbine can deploy automatically. Pilots can also deploy the turbine manually if needed, such as in the event of a double engine failure.
US-based aerospace safety consultant told the WSJ that engine failures can result from a variety of causes, including bird strikes or problems with fuel. “In commercial aviation, a dual engine failure is extremely rare,” he added. “Our engines today are more efficient and reliable than ever.”
Despite the preliminary findings, people familiar with the crash told the WSJ that the probe is ongoing and investigators haven’t confirmed whether engine, hydraulic or other problems triggered the emergency system.
All but one of the passengers on the plane were killed in the crash, as well as people on the ground.
The source: WSJ
