India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has stated that checks on the fuel control switch of a grounded Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner have been found satisfactory. This announcement follows a report by an Air India pilot concerning a potential defect in the switch.

The issue was reported on Sunday, February 1, 2026, after an Air India flight AI132, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route from London to Bengaluru, experienced a problem. According to the pilot's report, the left engine fuel control switch failed to remain locked in the "Run" position during engine start on two separate attempts, moving instead towards the "Cutoff" position. The "Run" position allows fuel to flow normally to the engine, while the "Cutoff" position shuts off the fuel supply. The crew closely monitored the aircraft during the flight, which was completed without incident.

Following the pilot's report, Air India grounded the aircraft and promptly informed the DGCA. The airline also engaged with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to investigate the pilot's concerns. Air India stated that the safety of passengers and crew remained a top priority.

The DGCA conducted thorough checks on the affected aircraft and another plane in the presence of its officials. The regulator stated that when the switches were operated following Boeing's recommended procedure, they functioned correctly, remaining in the "Run" position instead of moving to "Cutoff". The DGCA concluded that there was no defect with the fuel control switches. However, the DGCA noted that incorrect handling of the switch could cause it to move from the "Run" to "Cutoff" position. According to the DGCA, applying external force in an incorrect direction caused the switch to move easily from "Run" to "Cutoff", due to the angular base plate allowing slip when pressed improperly with finger or thumb.

The DGCA has asked Air India to circulate Boeing's recommended procedure for operating the fuel cutoff switch to its crew members. The regulator has not directly blamed the pilots or crew in its report but emphasized the importance of following the correct procedures.

Fuel control switches are critical cockpit components that pilots use to manage fuel flow to aircraft engines. Any abnormality in the switch is treated as a safety-critical issue, necessitating immediate technical assessment by the airline and the aircraft manufacturer.

The incident gained attention due to the ongoing investigation into a fatal Air India Dreamliner crash in June 2025, which killed 260 people. A preliminary report indicated that the plane's engines shut down after its fuel switches moved from the 'run' to the 'cut-off' position shortly after take-off, but did not establish how this had happened.

The DGCA's recent findings and the earlier statement from the US aviation regulator, which affirmed the safety of fuel control switches in Boeing airplanes after the June 2025 crash, are expected to reassure the public.