An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating flight AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru has been grounded after a pilot reported a recurring issue with the aircraft's left engine fuel control switch. The pilot noticed that the switch failed to remain in the 'run' position, twice moving to 'cutoff' during engine start-up.

The airline confirmed the incident on Monday, February 2, 2026, stating that the aircraft has been withdrawn from service as a precautionary measure. Air India has reported the matter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation regulator, and has engaged Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, to conduct further checks.

"We are aware that one of our pilots has reported a possible defect on the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft," an Air India spokesperson said. "After receiving this initial information, we have grounded the said aircraft and are involving the OEM to get the pilot's concerns checked on a priority basis".

According to the technical logbook, the pilot noted that the "Left fuel control switch slips from run to cut off when pushed down slightly. It does not lock in its position". The aircraft, a nine-year-old Boeing 787-8 with registration VT-ANX, was delivered to Air India in 2017.

Despite the issue, the aircraft departed London Heathrow only half an hour behind schedule on February 1st, arriving in Bengaluru ahead of schedule. However, after landing, Air India promptly removed the aircraft from service and notified Boeing and the DGCA.

This incident has raised concerns, particularly in light of the Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, 2025. The flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in 260 fatalities. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is still investigating the crash. However, the preliminary report indicated that the fuel supply to both engines was cut off within one second, leading to confusion in the cockpit. "In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report stated.

The AAIB report also revealed that the fuel control switches are manually operated. Following the fatal crash of AI-171, investigators discovered that both fuel cut-off switches on the plane had been moved from RUN to CUT-OFF moments after takeoff.

In the wake of the Ahmedabad crash, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had issued a safety notice on May 15, instructing operators of five Boeing models, including the 787 Dreamliner, to review a US Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directive. The FAA directive flagged fuel shutoff valve actuators as a potential safety concern and called for daily checks and inspections.

Boeing has stated that it is in contact with Air India and is supporting the airline's review of the matter. After being notified by the DGCA, Air India inspected the fuel control switches on all Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet, and no issues were found.