MUMBAI: The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has asked Air India to provide details regarding maintenance performed on a Boeing 787 aircraft in London prior to its departure for Bengaluru, following reports of a fuel control switch malfunction. As per a report in TOI, the request came after media coverage of the issue where the left engine fuel control switch did not stay securely in the “RUN” position during a London-Bengaluru flight.
On February 1, the crew of Air India flight AI-132 noticed on two occasions that the left engine fuel control switch failed to latch properly when light vertical pressure was applied. Eventually, the switch latched correctly, allowing the flight to continue to Bengaluru, where the aircraft was subsequently grounded for further examination. The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated on Tuesday that inspections of both the left and right switches at Bengaluru found them to be functioning satisfactorily.
Air India announced on Wednesday that it had conducted precautionary re-inspections of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) on all its Boeing 787 aircraft and reported no issues. The airline noted that these inspections were carried out as a precaution following the pilot’s observation. It also acknowledged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) independent inspections and clearance of the FCS. Air India confirmed it will comply with regulatory guidance to distribute original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recommended operating procedures for the Fuel Control Switch to all flight crew members.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is used by Air India on multiple long-haul international routes, including flights to the UK.
In response to the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s statement regarding the satisfactory condition of the component, the Safety Matters Foundation, a non-governmental organization, filed a complaint with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Wednesday. The Foundation expressed concern that publicly declaring the Fuel Control Switch issue resolved while the AAIB investigation is ongoing could amount to an “institutional bypass,” potentially compromising evidence, influencing the investigative process, and diminishing public confidence.
The complaint emphasized that such premature clearance by a regulatory body during an active safety investigation risks contamination of evidence, as components and records related to the AI132 incident might be handled without the strict chain-of-custody required in major accident probes. It also warned that framing a possible causal factor as resolved could affect witness recollections, expert evaluations, and the focus of the AI171 inquiry. The Foundation stated that these actions undermine trust in the AAIB’s independence and the integrity of its conclusions, which are essential for learning and maintaining aviation safety.
Capt. Amit Singh, Founder-Director of Safety Matters Foundation, highlighted that the AAIB’s role is to determine causes based on evidence rather than accept predetermined conclusions. He stressed that when another agency publicly closes an issue relevant to an ongoing investigation, it risks compromising the entire fact-finding process.
The Foundation urged the AAIB to immediately take custody of all evidence related to the AI132 event under a sealed chain-of-custody, issue a preservation order to prevent interference with evidence, and publicly affirm the independence of its investigation. Additionally, the Foundation requested the AAIB to initiate an inquiry into whether DGCA communications have negatively affected the AI171 investigation.
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