Air India Boeing 787 Technical Defects Investigation

India's civil aviation regulator has initiated enforcement proceedings against Air India following a substantial increase in technical defects across its Boeing 787 fleet. In January 2026, the airline reported 1.09 technical defects per 1,000 flights, a fourfold increase from the previous month, with overall technical incidents reaching a 14-month high. This action comes after a specific incident involving a potential fuel control switch defect led to an aircraft grounding.

via Reuters·BBC News·Business Times

India's civil aviation regulator has cleared the design of fuel control switches on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, ruling out a systemic defect. This decision concludes the investigation into the Air India flight that was grounded in Bengaluru after a pilot reported an issue with a fuel control switch during a flight from London.

via Sky News·Aviospace·caa.gov.qa

Air India is investigating whether its crew followed all required procedures after a Boeing aircraft departed from London with a potential fuel-switch defect before being grounded in India. Britain's aviation watchdog has requested a comprehensive root-cause analysis and a preventative plan.

via hindustantimes.com

India's aviation regulator is advising Air India to circulate recommended Boeing procedures for operating fuel cut-off switches on the 787. This follows concerns raised by the crew during a London Heathrow-Bengaluru service on February 1st, where the crew observed that one of the fuel-control switches did not operate correctly. The regulator's advice is a new step in addressing the potential defect.

via flightglobal.com

The DGCA advised Air India to reinforce Boeing-recommended procedures for the operation of the fuel 'CUT OFF' switch to its crew members.

via aljazeera.com·en.wikipedia.org·britannica.com·thehindu.com·m.rediff.com

Boeing confirmed it was in contact with Air India and supporting their review of the matter concerning the fuel control switch defect.

via aljazeera.com·en.wikipedia.org·britannica.com·thehindu.com·m.rediff.com

Air India initiated a precautionary fleet-wide inspection of fuel control switches on its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner fleet. The airline stated that engineering had escalated the matter to Boeing for priority evaluation and that the impacted Fuel Control Switch module would be sent to the OEM for further checks.

via aljazeera.com·en.wikipedia.org·britannica.com·thehindu.com·m.rediff.com

The DGCA stated that the fuel control switches on the grounded aircraft were checked and found to be satisfactory, with no abnormal engine parameters observed during the flight. The regulator also noted that Boeing had confirmed the switches' pull-to-unlock force was within limits.

via aljazeera.com·en.wikipedia.org·britannica.com·thehindu.com·m.rediff.com

Air India grounded a Boeing 787-8 aircraft on February 2, 2026, after a pilot reported a defect with the left engine's fuel control switch. The switch reportedly failed to remain locked in the 'RUN' position during engine start-up, moving towards 'CUTOFF', a malfunction that could lead to inadvertent engine shutdown. This issue is concerning as it mirrors a risk previously identified in relation to a past crash.

via The Hindu·Hindustan Times·BBC News·India Today·Reuters

Air India has grounded one of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft after a pilot reported that a fuel cut-off switch failed to remain in the RUN position and moved towards CUTOFF. The incident occurred as the aircraft was preparing to depart from London Heathrow Airport bound for Bengaluru. The airline has initiated a precautionary fleet-wide inspection.

via airlineratings.com·economictimes.indiatimes.com·thehindu.com·iadb.in

Air India confirmed that the aircraft involved in the February 1 incident was grounded in Bengaluru after landing. The airline informed Boeing and India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the reported defect.

via aljazeera.com·en.wikipedia.org·britannica.com·thehindu.com·m.rediff.com

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (AI132) operating from London to Bengaluru experienced an issue during engine start-up where the left fuel control switch reportedly slipped from the 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position and did not lock. The issue was resolved on the third attempt, and the flight proceeded to Bengaluru.

via aljazeera.com·en.wikipedia.org·britannica.com·thehindu.com·m.rediff.com

A source indicated that the AAIB investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash was examining various aspects, including technical, operational, organizational, and human factors, with nothing ruled out. The probe was reportedly leaning towards deliberate pilot action as a possible cause.

via aljazeera.com·en.wikipedia.org·britannica.com·thehindu.com·m.rediff.com