DGCA Launches Inspection of Air India B787 After Fuel Control Switch Issue

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun inspecting an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that recently reported a fuel control switch (FCS) anomaly. The aircraft, which flew from London Heathrow to Bengaluru, was grounded for safety checks. Following the incident, Air India has ordered thorough inspections of all its Dreamliner aircraft.

The aircraft in question, Boeing 787-8 VT-ANX, was delivered to Air India in 2017. On February 1, the aircraft commander recorded in the logbook that one of the fuel control switches behaved abnormally: “…when lightly pressed, the left control switch moved from the ‘Run’ position to the ‘Off’ position and failed to lock properly. No other defects were observed.”

Age of the Fuel Control Switch
According to sources familiar with the matter, the affected fuel control switch had logged approximately 3,500 flight hours. With a total service life of 20,000 hours, the switch was not near the end of its operational life, indicating it was still well within safe usage limits.

Replacement and Analysis
Officials confirmed that the affected FCS will be replaced after obtaining mandatory regulatory approvals. The component will also be sent to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for detailed analysis. Once a replacement switch is installed, the aircraft will be cleared for further operations.

Precautionary Measures
In response to the incident, Boeing stated that it is coordinating with Air India and assisting in the review. As a precaution, Air India has instructed all pilots operating the Boeing 787 fleet to conduct thorough pre-flight inspections before every flight.

The DGCA’s prompt action underscores the importance of safety and regulatory oversight in civil aviation, ensuring that such anomalies are addressed proactively.