UK aviation watchdog presses Air India to explain Boeing Dreamliner fuel switch issue within seven days

UK aviation watchdog presses Air India to explain Boeing Dreamliner fuel switch issue within seven days

Britain’s aviation regulator has asked Air India to explain how a Boeing Dreamliner aircraft departed from London with a potentially faulty fuel control switch and was later grounded on arrival in India, according to news agency Reuters.

In a letter sent this week, the UK Civil Aviation Authority warned the airline that it could face regulatory action if it fails to provide a full explanation within seven days.

An Air India pilot flagged the issue with the fuel control switch on a Boeing 787-8 aircraft on February 2 after completing Flight AI132. The airline later grounded the plane from service and carried out safety checks following its arrival in Bengaluru.

Air India said it had re-inspected the switches as a precaution and found no defects. The airline said it would respond to the British regulator accordingly.

The CAA said such requests were part of routine safety oversight following aircraft incidents.

REGULATOR DEMANDS DETAILED REPORT

According to the letter, the CAA has asked Air India to submit a “detailed account” of all maintenance work carried out on the aircraft before it was cleared to operate the flight.

The regulator said the airline must demonstrate how it ensured the aircraft’s airworthiness before its journey to Bengaluru.

Officials also warned that incomplete or delayed responses could lead to enforcement measures affecting parts of Air India’s fleet.

The letter was not made public, but its contents were confirmed by news agencies.

PILOTS REPORTED SWITCH ISSUE IN LONDON

India’s civil aviation watchdog said the problem first emerged during engine start procedures in London.

During checks, the flight crew noticed that the fuel control switch failed to remain locked in the “run” position on two occasions. On the third attempt, the switch appeared stable.

The crew decided to proceed with the flight. After landing in India, the aircraft was taken out of service for inspection.

Authorities later said their checks found the switches were functioning normally.

Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel to aircraft engines and are considered critical safety components.

SAFETY SCRUTINY AFTER DEADLY CRASH

The issue has drawn greater concern because fuel switches were linked to last year’s Air India Dreamliner crash in Gujarat that killed 260 people.

US aircraft maker Boeing, which builds the 787 Dreamliner, said earlier it was cooperating with the airline but did not comment further on the latest developments.

The CAA has also demanded a comprehensive root-cause analysis of the incident and a preventive action plan to avoid similar problems across Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet.

In an internal memo circulated on Wednesday, Air India said it had inspected fuel switches across all its Dreamliners and found no irregularities.

– Ends

With inputs from agencies

Published By:

Satyam Singh

Published On:

Feb 5, 2026

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