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Ahmedabad Plane Crash Report: The report of the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad has left many people baffled. The initial investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that two important systems – Ram Air Turbine (RAT) and Fuel Switch – worked in a strange way in this accident. What exactly happened that day, and why are these two things so important for an aircraft? In this blog, we will find answers to these questions.
What is Ram Air Turbine (RAT)?
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Imagine you are in a plane and due to some technical fault, both its engines stop working or the main power supply is cut off. In such a situation, where will the plane get electricity to run its essential systems (such as flight controls, navigation, and communication)? This is where Ram Air Turbine (RAT) comes in.
RAT is a small, propeller-like device that is usually hidden under the fuselage (body) or wing of the plane. It is not an engine, but an emergency power source. Whenever both engines fail in the aircraft, power supply is cut off, or there is some major fault in the hydraulic system, the RAT is automatically deployed (comes out of the aircraft and opens).
How does it work?
When the RAT is deployed, its blades start rotating with the speed of the wind, just like a small power wheel rotates. This rotation charges a generator which produces emergency electricity. This electricity is then supplied to the most important systems of the aircraft, so that the pilots have the necessary power to control the aircraft and land safely.
Generally, the purpose of the RAT is to help keep the aircraft afloat and give control to the pilots in an emergency. It is a kind of "lifeline" when all other power sources fail.
Also Read: Ahmedabad Plane Crash Report Mein Kai Bade Khulase, Yahan Dekhen
What is the fuel switch in a plane?
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Now let's talk about the fuel switch, which controls the fuel supply in the engine of the plane. It may look like a simple switch, but its work is very critical.
Work and Importance
Every engine has its own fuel switch. Pilots keep this switch in the 'ON' (or 'RUN') position before take-off so that the engine keeps getting fuel continuously and keeps running. When the flight ends and the plane is parked, then the pilots take this switch to the 'OFF' (or 'CUTOFF') position so that the engines stop.
Its Role in Emergency: According to aviation experts, a pilot never turns off this fuel switch unknowingly. This is a very deliberate action. If for any reason, as seen in the report of a recent plane crash, this fuel switch goes to the 'CUTOFF' position during flight, the engine stops getting fuel and the engines stop working immediately. In such a situation, the aircraft loses thrust (power to move forward) and it becomes difficult to maintain its altitude. Hence, the correct position of this switch and its functionality are absolutely essential for aircraft operation.
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About the Author:
Kaif Ansari
