On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck as an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the loss of 241 lives, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The cause of the crash remains unknown, but former US Navy pilot and aviation expert Captain Steve Scheibner has shed light on a crucial clue - the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT).

Who is Captain Steve?

Captain Steve is an aviation expert with over three decades of flying experience, having served as a US Navy pilot and later transitioning to a commercial career with American Airlines. With more than 14,000 hours of flight time, he concluded his 36-year career with American Airlines in September 2022.

Veteran Aviator Revises Air India Plane Crash Theory

Captain Steve revisited his analysis of the Air India Boeing 787 crash, pointing to a possible dual engine failure. Enhanced video footage revealed the deployment of the RAT, a last-resort device on modern aircraft.

Visual Evidence: RAT Deployment

The enhanced video showed a small grey dot beneath the aircraft, identified as the RAT by Captain Steve. This visual confirmation indicates the emergency system was activated.

Audio Confirmation: The High-Pitched Squeal

Further supporting his theory, Captain Steve pointed to audio from the crash video, noting the distinct sound of the RAT's propeller spinning at high speed to generate emergency power.

Survivor’s Testimony Aligns with RAT Theory

The lone survivor reported hearing a loud bang and seeing lights flicker, consistent with RAT deployment disrupting electrical reserves.

RAT: Last Resort for Catastrophic Failure

The RAT is designed to deploy automatically in the event of a massive failure, providing emergency power. The crash site indicated a rapid descent after takeoff, supporting the theory of dual engine failure.

Air India Plane Crash: Flap and Bird Strike Theories Reconsidered

While initial theories included flap settings and bird strikes, the focus has shifted to dual engine failure. Investigations found no evidence of bird remains, making a bird strike unlikely.

Air India Plane Crash: The Unanswered Question

Despite mounting evidence, the cause of the dual engine failure on the Boeing 787 remains a mystery. Captain Steve acknowledges the puzzling nature of the incident.