{"id":131709,"date":"2026-02-02T22:20:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T16:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=131709"},"modified":"2026-02-11T13:06:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T07:36:14","slug":"air-india-grounded-787-after-defect-in-fuel-control-switch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/air-india-grounded-787-after-defect-in-fuel-control-switch\/","title":{"rendered":"Air India Grounded Boeing 787 Dreamliner After Defect in Fuel Control Switch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DELHI-<\/strong> Tata Group-owned Air India (AI)<\/a> grounded a Boeing 787 Dreamliner after the crew reported a fuel control switch concern following arrival from London Heathrow (LHR) to Bengaluru (BLR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline informed regulators and began technical checks while Boeing and aviation authorities reviewed the reported switch behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: By Kambui – Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner \nCC BY 2.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=58290529<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air India Grounded 787 Dreamliner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air India grounded Boeing 787-8 aircraft<\/a> VT-ANX after pilots operating Flight AI132 reported abnormal behavior involving the left engine fuel control switch. The aircraft departed London Heathrow at 9:19 pm Sunday and landed safely in Bengaluru at 11:54 am Monday, local time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to airline sources, the irregularity was noticed after landing. Safety Matters Foundation later stated that during engine start procedures, the left engine fuel control switch failed to remain locked in the RUN position on two attempts and moved toward CUTOFF. Under certain conditions, such movement could risk an unintended engine shutdown during flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India confirmed that after receiving the pilot’s report, it grounded the aircraft and requested inspection support from the original equipment manufacturer. The airline also informed India\u2019s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to TOI<\/a>, DGCA has initiated a review and sought detailed information from the airline, while Boeing is also supporting technical examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regulatory Review and Manufacturer Response<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Boeing stated it remains in contact with Air India and is supporting the airline\u2019s investigation. DGCA is assessing technical details to determine whether the issue resulted from mechanical failure or operational factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air India reiterated that safety remains its top priority and confirmed that fleet-wide checks on Dreamliner fuel control switches were conducted earlier under DGCA instructions, with no defects reported at that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: PM Narendra Modi X Handle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Context from the 787 Crash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The issue draws attention because an Air India Boeing 787 operating as Flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, shortly after takeoff, resulting in 260 fatalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preliminary investigation reports indicated fuel supply to engines stopped after switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF, though the exact cause remains under investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cockpit recordings revealed confusion between pilots regarding switch movement, raising broader safety concerns around fuel control switch reliability and cockpit procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Riyadh
Photo: Riyadh Air<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FAA Safety Alert and Expert Concerns<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a safety alert in 2018 warning that certain fuel control switches, including those installed on Boeing 787 aircraft, could malfunction and increase shutdown risk. Operators were advised to inspect and replace affected components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aviation safety expert Captain Amit Singh stated the recurrence of such concerns after previous fleet inspections raises questions regarding inspection depth and possible recurring technical faults. He stressed that both passengers and flight crews require clear safety assurances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

DGCA continues reviewing technical data and maintenance records related to the aircraft. Air India and Boeing are expected to provide further findings once inspections conclude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grounded aircraft will remain out of service until engineers confirm the fuel control switch functions within certified safety limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo: Mumbai Planes | Siddh Dhuri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Safety Concerns Rise After Boeing 787 Fuel Switch Malfunction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Safety Matters Foundation (SMF) has called for a transparent investigation after a Boeing 787 operated by Air India reported a fuel control switch malfunction during an international flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incident has renewed scrutiny over past safety advisories and inspection processes related to Boeing 787 fuel control systems, prompting calls for regulatory review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udea8 URGENT SAFETY ALERT \ud83d\udea8

A @airindia<\/a> Boeing 787 fuel switch failed during flight AI132, moving toward CUTOFF on engine start\u2014the exact malfunction warned of by the @FAANews<\/a> in 2018 (SAIB NM-18-33).

This comes AFTER the airline said its fleet-wide checks found "no issues."\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/G3LeoJ7YPK<\/a><\/p>— \u0905\u092e\u093f\u0924 \u0938\u093f\u0902\u0939 (\u0935\u0930\u093e\u0939)\ud835\udc9c\ud835\udcc2\ud835\udcbe\ud835\udcc9 \ud835\udcae\ud835\udcbe\ud835\udcc3\ud835\udc54\ud835\udcbd (@flyingamit) February 2, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>