Air India conducted urgent inspections on fuel control switches across its Boeing 787 fleet following regulatory directives tied to prior crash investigations. No issues were found in the locking mechanisms, ensuring continued safe operations.
Inspection Background
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated checks by July 21, 2025, referencing a 2018 Boeing safety bulletin after Air India Flight 171’s June 2025 crash in Ahmedabad, where switches moved to “cutoff,” starving engines. Air India completed voluntary inspections starting July 12 on all 787 and 737 (via Air India Express) aircraft, reporting clean results to regulators.
Recent Developments
A Boeing 787 was grounded on February 2, 2026, after pilots flagged abnormal left engine fuel switch behavior during startup, prompting deeper scrutiny despite prior clearances. Fuel switches feature guards and spring-locks to prevent accidents; global carriers like Etihad and Singapore Airlines also verified compliance.
Fleet Safety Measures
These steps reaffirm Air India’s safety priority post-tragedy, with ongoing probes into crash causes.
