In brief
Air India has temporarily grounded a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner following a pilot's report of a possible defect with the fuel control switch. The airline is working closely with Boeing and has reported the incident to India's aviation regulator amidst ongoing investigations related to a previous fatal crash involving the same aircraft model. Additional checks are being prioritized to ensure safety across the fleet.
Air India has grounded a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner jet after one of its pilots reported a possible defect in the aircraft's fuel control switch. The airline stated that it had informed India's aviation regulator about the issue and was prioritizing the pilot's concerns.
In a response, a Boeing spokesperson confirmed their support in reviewing the matter with Air India. This decision to ground the aircraft follows ongoing investigations into a fatal crash from last June involving another Air India Boeing 787-8, which resulted in 260 fatalities.
While the specific nature of the pilot's flagged issue remains unspecified, reports indicate it arose after the plane landed in Bengaluru, India after a flight from London. Following the tragic incident last year, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to release a final report on the crash soon. Preliminary findings suggested that the engines lost power after the fuel switches moved unexpectedly shortly after takeoff.
The latest concerns have led the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to order investigations into fuel control switches in Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft within India. However, Air India reassured that inspections of their fleet found no issues with the locking mechanism of the fuel control switches.
“Air India checked the fuel control switches on all Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet and found no issues,” the airline stated. Boeing also reiterated their support of the ongoing safety reviews.
