I’ve read that theory. But the RAT deployed seems to point in another direction. Like some control system failure was underway. Gear and flaps lever are probably not close to each other. The video definitely shows a point where the jet seems to significantly (completely?) lose power. But the vid of it passing by with engines thrusting and RAT making propeller sounds doesn’t make sense. I would think it’s one or the other. Plane is likely fly by wire. Flap and gear controls would be electric up in the cockpit and hydraulic at the point of actuation (hydro electric). If there were some major hydraulic system failure, Maybe the RAT was deployed (automatically) to try to build pressure…and the reason gear and flaps were out of position was no hydraulic pressure (RAT) could not build needed pressure. Anyone know if the engines were still thrusting when it hit?
Theories are maturing / evolving. Link provided here to an airline Captain discussing the (better) video with sound (can now tell the engines weren’t thrusting). One commenter offers some excellent insights into what might have happened. Bottom line, very hot day, forward electronics compartment has auto-shut down function in the event of over-heat. In that compartment is the engine fuel pump controller. So the theory is the aircraft shut off fuel to it’s engines and that triggered the RAT to deploy. The surviving passenger said the engines (in his own language / different words) couldn’t get revolutions.
As far as the story of the miracle passenger walking away from wreck, looking at the size of the fireball is anyone else a little skeptical, like the industry needed a feel good story?
Anything is possible, the survivor story serves many agendas and with media captured who can be certain. Surviving a 200 mph plane crash on the ground would require the absorption of the energy attained on take off.
Perhaps the plane barreling into the building and breaking apart helped that issue. Fuel is stored in the wings of jetliners if they broke away before bursting into flames where he was sitting, well maybe.
he has trauma shock…tells his docs he cant remember much of anything. Limped away but still hospitalized.
The RAT being engaged is a major sign something critical is going on. It’s fully automatic and cannot be activated by the pilot. Dual engine failure? All is guesswork at this point.
More evidence there were major electrical problems that day and before with that aircraft. Video is of a passenger who was onboard the ill fated plane the previous flight leg and got off just before the crash. None of the cabin electronics were working. Seems to dovetail with my previous post where a mechanic familiar with the plane identified the forward electronics bay has an over-temperature shut-off. This shut-off controls the fuel pumps for the plane. Looking more like faulty maintenance / failure to correct a recurring issue by India airlines.
Maybe but the fireball looked five stories high.
Amazing if true.