New Delhi: No abnormality has been found in the fuel switch of February Air India flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru which had reported switches drifting twice before departure, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has informed the parliament.
The incidt gained significance as the concerned aircraft happened to be a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, same as the one involved in Ahmedabad AI 171 crash, which reportedly occurred due to fuel switch drifting from “Run” to “Cutoff”.
Though the AI132 completed its journey to Bengaluru, the aircraft was subsequently grounded and switches were sent to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for further examination.
The finding is a setback for theories suggesting fuel switch anomalies in the ill-fated AI171. Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) had previously cited the incident, along with a few others, to challenge Pilot-action theory.
The Daily Guardian explains why the AI132 interim report could have a bearing on the findings of the AI171 crash report, expected to be out in October.
What happened with AI132?
On February 2, 2026, an Air India Boeing 787-8 operating AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru was grounded after landing because the pilot entered a defect in the aircraft logbook. The pilot reported that the left Fuel Control Switch (FCS) slipped from “Run” to “Cutoff” when slight pressure was applied, and
did not lock positively in the selected position.
Why was this important?
Fuel control switches came under intense scrutiny after the AI-171 crash, because the preliminary investigation found that both engine fuel control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF seconds after take-off, shutting off fuel to both engines.
So when another Air India 787 pilot reported that a fuel control switch did not appear to latch properly, it raised the possibility, however remote, that there could be a mechanical issue with the switch or its locking mechanism rather than pilot action.
What did DGCA and Boeing do?
Air India inspected and functionally tested the switches following Boeing’s prescribed procedures, under DGCA supervision. Boeing (the OEM) concluded that the switch was mechanically functioning as designed and declared it serviceable.
What was the outcome?
The government has now said that, “No abnormality was found in the Fuel Control Switch or its locking mechanism (detents) during the OEM-level examination.”
However, testing of the complete Thrust Control Module is still underway.
Why is this relevant to AI-171?
The Seattle testing was essentially meant to answer a key question. Could a defect in the fuel control switch or its locking mechanism have allowed the switches to move from ‘Run’ to ‘Cutoff’ without deliberate pilot action?
However, because of the sensitivity of the issue, DGCA has ordered the entire Fuel Control Switch/Thrust Control Module to be sent to Boeing’s facility in Seattle for more sophisticated laboratory testing, with DGCA officers present.
The regulator aims to conclusively examine the locking mechanism (detents) of AI132, including whether pressure applied from different directions could cause unintended movement, the ministry said in a written reply.