Air India Boeing 787 grounded due to faulty fuel control switch: 'Slid from RUN to CUTOFF'

An Air India Boeing 787-8 was grounded after its flight from London Heathrow Airport to Bengaluru, Karnataka in February 2026 due to its faulty fuel control switch. According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the flight was grounded after a “Pilot Defect Report” said the fuel control switch had slipped from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” when pushed slightly. The message mentioned that the switch also did not latch positively in the selected position.

The ministry report said: “On 02/02/2026, M/s Air India Boeing 787-8 VT-ANX, after operating flight sector AIC-132 (London Heathrow (EGLL) – Bengaluru (VOBL), was slightly grounded based on an entry made in the Pilot’s Fault Report stating that the left OFF slips from the RFC fuel control switch)” does not positively lock in the selected position.”

It further said that based on the recommendations of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the airline carried out inspection and functional testing of the fuel control switches (FCS) in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the OEM in the presence of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officers.

What was found during the inspection?

During the review, the airline and DGCA officers found that the fuel control switch “worked mechanically as designed and deemed the unit operational”.

“In order to maintain the airworthiness of the concerned fuel control switch, the DGCA of India has ordered their inspection at the OEM facility in the presence of DGCA officials,” it said.

It was previously reported that aviation authorities would send the fuel control switch from the Boeing 787 to the United States for further inspection, although initial checks had found no fault.

The US inspection comes ahead of a separate final report into the June 2025 crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which killed 260 people shortly after takeoff.

On June 12 last year, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members and 19 people on the ground.

Meanwhile, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu informed that the investigation into the Air India crash was in its final stages and assured that the investigation was conducted in a transparent, fair and accountable manner.

Speaking to reporters, Ram Mohan Naidu said, “The investigation is in its final stages… This investigation is not only about India as it was an international flight… Anyone can look into this investigation, so we want it to be completely transparent, fair and accountable… I believe we will get the report soon.”