Air India grounded its Boeing 787‑8 aircraft, registration VT‑ANX, after a pilot reported that the fuel‑control switch failed to stay locked in the "RUN" position and drifted toward "CUTOFF" during the flight from London to Bengaluru (AI 132). The aircraft landed safely in Bengaluru, and the airline immediately notified the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and halted the aircraft from further service until the defect is inspected and repaired.
The incident follows a DGCA directive issued after the June 2025 Air India Flight 171 crash, in which a similar fuel‑control switch malfunction was identified as a contributing factor to the fatal loss of 260 passengers. Air India had previously conducted a fleet‑wide inspection of all 787 fuel‑control switches and reported no issues, making the current grounding a significant development that raises questions about the thoroughness of earlier checks.
Air India’s spokesperson said the airline is prioritizing passenger safety and has engaged Boeing to review the switch. "We are aware that one of our pilots has reported a possible defect on the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787‑8 aircraft," the spokesperson added. The DGCA has been briefed, and Air India has committed to a comprehensive inspection of its 33‑aircraft 787 fleet.
Boeing confirmed it is working closely with Air India and has deployed a technical team to assess the switch mechanism. The company stated it remains confident in the overall safety of the 787 program but acknowledges the need for rigorous oversight in light of the recent incidents.
The grounding is likely to trigger additional inspections across Air India’s 787 fleet and could disrupt scheduled services, prompting the airline to reallocate aircraft and adjust crew rosters. The event also intensifies scrutiny from regulators and could influence future maintenance agreements and customer confidence in the 787’s reliability.
Industry observers note that the incident underscores a broader pattern of fuel‑control switch concerns on the 787, prompting airlines and regulators worldwide to review their inspection protocols and consider more stringent safety checks on this critical system.
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