Air India has initiated inspections of the fuel control switches across its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet following an incident involving a 9-year-old Boeing 787-8 (registration: VT-ANX). On February 2, 2026, a pilot reported a potential defect in the fuel control switch during pre-flight checks.
What Happened
During the engine start-up phase of a London Heathrow to Bengaluru flight (AI132), the pilot noticed that the left fuel control switch would not remain in the 'run' position, which is essential for maintaining fuel supply to the engine. According to the aircraft's technical logbook, the switch slipped from "run to cut off" when সামান্য pushed, failing to lock in its designated position. Despite the issue, the flight departed London with a short delay and landed safely in Bengaluru. Following the flight, Air India grounded the aircraft and alerted both Boeing and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). A post-flight inspection revealed that the left fuel control switch lacked a locking mechanism, confirming the defect.
Air India's Response
Air India has grounded the affected Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The airline is collaborating with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to thoroughly investigate the issue. Air India has formally communicated the matter to the DGCA. The airline reaffirmed that the safety of passengers and crew remains their top priority. Affected customers will be re-accommodated on alternative flights or partner airlines at no extra cost.
Fleet-Wide Inspections
The DGCA has directed Air India to inspect all 787-8 aircraft in its fleet within seven days. Air India had previously conducted checks on fuel control switches across its entire Boeing 787 fleet following a DGCA directive, finding no issues at the time. The recent incident has raised concerns about the adequacy and thoroughness of these earlier inspections. According to Air India, all other Boeing 787 aircraft in the fleet were previously checked and found to be clear.
Boeing's Involvement
Boeing is in contact with Air India and is supporting their review of this matter.
Past Concerns and FAA Advisory
In 2018, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an information bulletin regarding the potential disengagement of the switch locking mechanism on certain fuel control switches. The FAA had advised airlines to inspect the fuel control switches. However, this bulletin was advisory and not mandatory.
Potential Impact
Air India operates 27 Dreamliners on high-density routes to Europe, North America, and Australia. Schedule changes could disrupt thousands of passengers, especially during the February business-travel peak. Corporate travel managers should monitor the airline's "AI Alert" bulletins and advise travelers to build additional buffer time into connections, particularly at Delhi and Mumbai hubs where spare wide-body capacity is tight.
Context
This incident occurs amidst Air India's ongoing fleet renewal program, which includes an order for 20 Boeing 787-9s and the gradual retirement of older 787-8s inherited from Indian Airlines in 2012. The incident has sparked debate and skepticism online, particularly given the airline's prior inspections that had found no issues. An aviation safety expert, Capt Amit Singh, noted that the London incident raises serious questions about inspection adequacy and demands the highest level of regulatory scrutiny.