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Air India on Monday said it had grounded a Boeing 787-8 aircraft after a pilot reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch on a London–Bengaluru flight.
The aircraft was scheduled to operate flight AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru when the issue was detected during pre-flight procedures. As a precaution, the airline immediately withdrew the aircraft from service.
“We are aware that one of our pilots has reported a possible defect on the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. 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,” Air India said in a statement.
The airline confirmed that the matter has been formally communicated to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Further technical checks are being carried out in coordination with the aircraft’s manufacturer, Boeing.
Air India also said it had earlier conducted fleet-wide inspections of fuel control switches across its Boeing 787 aircraft following a DGCA directive and found no issues at the time. The carrier reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny following the June 12 crash of Air India Flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London, which killed 260 people. A preliminary investigation report into the crash had pointed to a potential issue involving fuel control switches.
According to a press release circulated on social media by the Safety Matters Foundation, the crew of the London–Bengaluru flight reported abnormal behaviour of the left engine fuel control switch on the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registered as VT-ANX. The release claimed that during engine start, the switch failed to remain locked in the RUN position and moved towards CUTOFF on two occasions—an anomaly that could, under certain conditions, lead to an inadvertent engine shutdown.
The preliminary report into the Ahmedabad crash stated that both engine fuel control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF seconds after take-off, resulting in a loss of thrust. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning the fuel cutoff, with the other denying responsibility. Although one engine began to recover after the switches were returned to RUN, the aircraft failed to regain altitude. A Mayday call was recorded moments before the crash.
The aircraft was scheduled to operate flight AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru when the issue was detected during pre-flight procedures. As a precaution, the airline immediately withdrew the aircraft from service.
Air India’s statement
“We are aware that one of our pilots has reported a possible defect on the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. 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,” Air India said in a statement.
Regulator informed, checks under way
The airline confirmed that the matter has been formally communicated to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Further technical checks are being carried out in coordination with the aircraft’s manufacturer, Boeing.
Air India also said it had earlier conducted fleet-wide inspections of fuel control switches across its Boeing 787 aircraft following a DGCA directive and found no issues at the time. The carrier reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority.
Amid heightened scrutiny after June 12 crash
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny following the June 12 crash of Air India Flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London, which killed 260 people. A preliminary investigation report into the crash had pointed to a potential issue involving fuel control switches.
What the crew reportedly observed
According to a press release circulated on social media by the Safety Matters Foundation, the crew of the London–Bengaluru flight reported abnormal behaviour of the left engine fuel control switch on the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registered as VT-ANX. The release claimed that during engine start, the switch failed to remain locked in the RUN position and moved towards CUTOFF on two occasions—an anomaly that could, under certain conditions, lead to an inadvertent engine shutdown.
Preliminary report of Ahmedabad crash on fuel control switches
The preliminary report into the Ahmedabad crash stated that both engine fuel control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF seconds after take-off, resulting in a loss of thrust. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning the fuel cutoff, with the other denying responsibility. Although one engine began to recover after the switches were returned to RUN, the aircraft failed to regain altitude. A Mayday call was recorded moments before the crash.
