Air India has begun inspections of the fuel control switch latches on its 33 Boeing 787s after grounding a 787-8 when a pilot reported a possible defect. The DGCA says the recent event was caused by incorrect handling of the switch, not a mechanical fault, and has recommended reinforced crew training. The checks come amid the ongoing probe into June’s 787 crash that killed 260 people; a preliminary AAIB report found fuel was cut off before impact. Boeing says it is supporting Air India's review.
Air India Orders Fleet-Wide Checks of Boeing 787 Fuel Switches After Pilot Report Sparks Grounding
Indian authorities have yet to release a final report into the crash of a 787 shortly after takeoff in June (JACK GUEZ)(JACK GUEZ/AFP/AFP)
Air India has begun inspecting the fuel control switch latches on all 33 of its Boeing 787 aircraft after grounding a 787-8 when a pilot reported a possible defect, an internal company note seen by AFP said.
What Happened
The carrier temporarily grounded a London-bound 787-8 on Monday after a pilot reported a potential fault with the fuel control switch. The airline's engineering team "escalated the matter to Boeing for priority evaluation," the internal memo said.
Regulator Findings and Airline Response
India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), said the incident was caused by incorrect handling of the fuel control switch rather than a mechanical failure. The DGCA reported that on two occasions the switch, which regulates fuel flow to the engines, did not "remain positively latched in the run position when light vertical pressure was applied." On a third attempt the switch was stable and the flight "was completed without incident."
The DGCA advised Air India to reinforce crew training on Boeing's recommended operating procedures. Air India, now part of the Tata Group, said it launched a precautionary, fleet-wide re-inspection of the switch latch; a source close to the company told AFP that inspections completed so far have found no adverse findings.
Manufacturer And Investigation Context
Boeing said it is in contact with Air India and supporting the carrier's review. The checks take place against the backdrop of an ongoing investigation into a June crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 that killed 260 people. Authorities inspected the locking feature on the fuel control switches of the crashed aircraft and reported no issues.
A preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said fuel supply to the jet's engines was cut off moments before impact, raising questions about whether human action played a role. The AAIB recorded one pilot asking the other why fuel had been cut off and the second pilot replying that he had not done so. Two major Indian commercial pilots' associations and the father of one of the deceased pilots have rejected suggestions that human error caused the crash. Indian authorities have not yet released a final report.
Next Steps
Investigations by the DGCA and AAIB continue. Air India and Boeing say they are cooperating with regulators as the airline reinforces crew training and completes the precautionary inspections. The carrier has not reported any fleet-wide mechanical issues so far.
Note: This article reflects the facts reported by Air India, the DGCA, Boeing and India’s AAIB as of the latest statements; official investigations are ongoing.
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