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Los Angeles: A LATAM Airlines (LA) Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) visibly deployed, following nearly an hour of circling over the Pacific Ocean.
The flight, originally en route to Santiago, Chile (SCL), safely returned to LAX under its own power. The deployment of the RAT—an emergency system designed to provide backup electrical and hydraulic power—indicates a significant onboard systems issue.
According to flight tracking and video footage from Airline Videos, the aircraft entered a prolonged holding pattern over the Pacific before landing on Runway 25L. The RAT, located beneath the fuselage near the landing gear, was clearly visible—an unusual sight during routine operations.
Despite the emergency, the Dreamliner taxied to its gate without external assistance, suggesting that some onboard systems remained functional.
What Is the RAT?
The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is a crucial backup device found on modern aircraft like the Boeing 787-8. It is automatically deployed in cases of total electrical failure or severe power loss, and can also be activated manually by the flight crew.
Once extended, the RAT uses the force of oncoming air to spin a small turbine, supplying power to essential flight systems such as flight controls, communications, and navigation—allowing pilots to maintain control and coordinate an emergency landing.
RAT deployment can be triggered by a variety of malfunctions, including electrical failures, engine shutdowns, software anomalies, or fuel supply issues.
The incident is under investigation, and LATAM has not yet released an official statement regarding the cause.
