AviationSafety – DGCA Orders Boeing 787 Fuel Switch Examination in US
AviationSafety – India’s aviation regulator has ordered a detailed examination of the Fuel Control Switch system installed in an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft after a technical concern was identified during operations earlier this year.
Flight AIC 132, which was scheduled to travel from London Heathrow to Bengaluru on February 2, 2026, was taken out of service after pilots reported irregular behavior linked to the aircraft’s Fuel Control Switch. The issue prompted immediate technical checks and further regulatory attention.
DGCA Initiates Additional Technical Assessment
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed that the Fuel Control Switch unit be inspected at Boeing’s facility in the United States. The examination will be carried out in the presence of DGCA officials as part of ongoing airworthiness monitoring procedures.
The concern emerged after a Pilot Defect Report noted that the left-side Fuel Control Switch could shift from the “RUN” position to “CUT OFF” with slight pressure and did not remain firmly locked in place. The switch plays a critical role in managing fuel supply to aircraft engines during flight operations.
Air India Conducted Initial Inspection in Bengaluru
Following guidance from the aircraft manufacturer, Air India performed a preliminary technical review and functional testing of the switch in Bengaluru. DGCA representatives were present during the inspection process to oversee the evaluation.
Authorities stated that the Original Equipment Manufacturer reviewed the findings, including operational evidence and inspection data. Based on that assessment, the manufacturer concluded that the switch was operating within its intended mechanical parameters and declared the component serviceable.
Despite that conclusion, Indian aviation authorities decided to pursue a more detailed inspection at Boeing’s US facility to ensure continued operational reliability and safety compliance.
Increased Attention After Ahmedabad Air Disaster
The Fuel Control Switch system has received heightened international attention since the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The accident claimed 260 lives and became one of the most closely examined aviation disasters in recent years.
Investigators studying the crash found that the aircraft’s Fuel Control Switch had reportedly moved to the “OFF” position shortly after take-off. That action interrupted fuel flow to the engines, contributing to the fatal sequence of events under investigation.
The findings triggered broader discussions within the global aviation sector regarding cockpit control systems, switch locking mechanisms, and additional safety verification procedures for modern aircraft.
Regulatory Oversight Continues
The latest directive from the DGCA reflects the regulator’s continued focus on aircraft safety standards and preventive monitoring. Aviation experts note that even when components pass initial testing, additional inspections are often ordered when systems are linked to critical operational functions.
Industry analysts say regulators worldwide have become increasingly cautious following recent incidents involving fuel management systems and cockpit control mechanisms. Enhanced technical scrutiny is considered essential to maintaining confidence in long-haul aircraft operations and passenger safety.
Air India and Boeing have not indicated any broader operational disruptions connected to the issue. However, authorities are expected to continue evaluating inspection findings as part of ongoing safety oversight measures involving Boeing 787 aircraft.
The DGCA’s latest move highlights the importance of rigorous technical examinations in commercial aviation, especially when equipment associated with previous high-profile investigations is involved. Further updates are expected after the detailed inspection process in the United States is completed.