In a significant development that could illuminate the possible cause of last week's deadly Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, retired US Navy pilot and aviation analyst Captain Steve Scheibner has revised his earlier assessment. After reviewing clearer visual and audio footage, Scheibner now believes the crash may have been the result of a dual engine failure shortly after takeoff.
In a newly released video analysis, Scheibner stated that his initial theories — which included improper flap configuration, bird strike, or fuel contamination — were being reconsidered after he studied a clearer rooftop video of the ill-fated flight's final moments. The pivotal element in his updated assessment was the apparent deployment of the ram air turbine (RAT) — a small, emergency backup power-generating device used in modern aircraft when they lose primary electrical or hydraulic systems, typically following an engine failure.
Scheibner pointed to a visual marker in the footage: "You see what appears like a small protrusion on the underside of the aircraft, a little gray dot just behind the right wing. That’s not an artifact — that is the RAT," he said, noting it as visual confirmation of RAT deployment. He further bolstered his conclusion with audio evidence, identifying a distinctive high-pitched squeal captured in the recording. "It sounds like a Cessna propeller whirring by. That’s a clear signature of the RAT spinning as the aircraft descends," he noted.
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Scheibner explained that the RAT is not designed to be a recovery tool for an aircraft at very low altitude — such as 400 to 500 feet — experiencing complete power loss. “In such scenarios, there’s little time to restart engines or benefit from RAT power. The aircraft had climbed only to around 625 feet before it went down,” he added. Adding further weight to his theory, Scheibner referenced the account of the lone survivor of the crash.
The survivor had reportedly heard a loud bang followed by flickering cabin lights moments before the impact. Scheibner explained that these are classic signs consistent with RAT deployment and loss of power, suggesting a sudden and complete systems failure on board.
While emphasizing that the exact cause is still under investigation, Scheibner — who has logged over 20,000 flight hours — said the final confirmation will likely come from the air traffic control (ATC) audio logs, which may reveal whether the Mayday call indicated a dual engine failure. The revised analysis by a respected aviation expert like Scheibner adds another crucial dimension to the ongoing investigation, and may influence how authorities interpret the chain of events leading to the crash.
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