Government Confirms No Defects in Air India’s Boeing 787 Fuel Control Switch

The Union government has reported to Parliament that an evaluation by Boeing has determined that there are no irregularities in the fuel control switch of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This announcement comes in the wake of concerns raised by the airline’s pilots regarding a potential fault during a London-Bengaluru flight earlier this year.

In February, the crew on the flight indicated that the left fuel control switch had a tendency to shift from the ‘run’ setting to ‘cut off’ with minimal pressure, failing to secure itself in the desired position. This issue prompted the grounding of the aircraft pending further investigation. The scrutiny of fuel control switches has heightened in light of the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad in June 2025, which resulted in the loss of lives and significant damage.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which was making its way to London’s Gatwick Airport from Ahmedabad, crashed just 33 seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025. On board were 242 individuals, with only one passenger surviving the incident, while 19 individuals on the ground lost their lives when the plane struck a hostel building affiliated with the BJ Medical College and Hospital.

Following the crash, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau initiated an inquiry and released a preliminary report in July 2025. The report revealed that shortly after takeoff, both engines failed as their fuel control switches transitioned from ‘run’ to ‘cut off’ in quick succession. This critical failure raised serious concerns about the safety mechanisms in place for the aircraft.

As Air India continues to address these challenges, the airline is working closely with Boeing to ensure the safety and reliability of its fleet. The findings from these investigations will be crucial in restoring public confidence in air travel and enhancing the safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future. The government’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation remains a priority as it navigates through these complex issues.

Source: scroll.in