Air India Dreamliner Grounded After Fuel Switch Malfunction
An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner was recently grounded due to a malfunction involving its left fuel control switch. The incident occurred during engine startup when the switch failed to remain in the ‘run’ position and moved to ‘cutoff’ twice. The flight, AI 132, had just arrived from Heathrow to Bengaluru.
Grounding Procedure and Response
An Air India spokesperson confirmed that a pilot reported a defect in the fuel control switch. In response, the airline grounded the affected aircraft and is collaborating with Boeing, the original equipment manufacturer, to address the concerns raised by the pilot.
Regulatory Notification
Air India has also informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the fuel switch issue. The airline emphasized that ensuring the safety of passengers and crew is its highest priority.
Background on Safety Checks
This grounding follows a tragic incident in June 2025, when an Air India Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, resulting in 260 fatalities. After that accident, the airline had inspected the fuel control switches on all Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet and reported no issues.
Aviation Experts’ Insights
Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel into the engines. They are critical for engine startup, shutdown, and managing in-flight engine failures. Experts note that pilots cannot accidentally shift these switches. If they are inadvertently moved, the engines will immediately lose power.
Location and Mechanism of Fuel Switches
The 787’s fuel control switches are located beneath the thrust levers. These switches are spring-loaded to stay in their intended positions. To change a switch from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’, a pilot must pull it up before moving it.
An Insight into the Ahmedabad Crash
- Seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, both engine fuel control switches transitioned to ‘cutoff’.
- There was a brief time gap of one second between the switches moving; this led to a loss of engine power.
- Audio recordings indicated a conversation between pilots regarding the cutoff, with both denying responsibility.
- The switches were found in the ‘run’ position at the crash site.
When control switches are moved in-flight, the engines’ systems initiate a relight and thrust recovery sequence to restore power, according to preliminary investigation findings.
The grounding of the Air India Dreamliner raises important discussions about aircraft safety protocols and the reliability of critical systems like fuel control switches.
