India’s aviation regulator has confirmed that it found no technical defect in the fuel control switch of an Air India Boeing 787 8 Dreamliner that was grounded after a pilot raised safety concerns.
The issue came to light on Sunday when the aircraft landed in Bengaluru after a flight from London. The pilot reported unusual behavior in the fuel control switch during engine start at take off.
What the Pilot Reported
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the flight crew noticed that the fuel control switch did not stay locked in the run position when light vertical pressure was applied. This happened twice.
On the third attempt, the switch remained stable. The crew then monitored the aircraft closely for the rest of the journey. The flight ended safely, and no incident occurred.
DGCA Inspection Findings
The DGCA carried out checks on the affected aircraft in the presence of its officials. Inspectors also examined another Boeing 787 aircraft as part of the review.
The regulator stated that when the fuel control switch was operated using Boeing’s recommended procedure, it worked as expected. The switch stayed in the run position and did not move to cut off.
However, the DGCA noted that incorrect handling could cause the switch to move easily from run to cut off. This movement can stop fuel supply to the engines.
Steps Taken by Air India
Air India informed the regulator about the issue immediately and said it reviewed the matter on a priority basis. The airline confirmed that it had already inspected fuel control switches across its Boeing 787 fleet earlier and found no faults.
After the latest incident, Air India began rechecking the switches on its Dreamliner aircraft as a precaution.
The DGCA has now asked Air India to circulate Boeing’s recommended operating procedure to all flight crew members.
Boeing Responds to the Review
Boeing said it is supporting Air India in reviewing the matter. The company has maintained that the fuel control switches on its aircraft meet safety standards.
Earlier, the US aviation regulator also stated that fuel control switches on Boeing aircraft are safe.
Context of the Previous Air India Crash
The incident attracted wide attention due to the ongoing investigation into last year’s Air India Boeing 787 crash. The London bound aircraft crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.
A preliminary report revealed that the plane’s engines shut down after the fuel switches moved from run to cut off. The report did not explain how this happened.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau continues to investigate the crash. Officials expect the final report in the coming months.
Expert Opinion on Switch Design
Aviation consultant and former air accident investigator Tim Atkinson expressed confidence in Boeing’s design. He said the switches are built to prevent accidental movement.
He added that he would be surprised to find any hidden defect in the design.
