India Clears Boeing Fuel Switch After Fatal Crash Probe

The Indian government announced that an examination of the fuel control switch locking mechanism on an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner found no abnormalities. Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, informed the Rajya Sabha that tests conducted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer in Seattle showed no structural defects in the switch detents.

The investigation was triggered after a pilot on a flight from London to Bengaluru reported in February 2026 that a fuel control switch failed to remain locked in the RUN position. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation ordered the aircraft to be grounded and sent a team to the manufacturer's facility for testing. While the switch itself was cleared, a broader inspection of the complete thrust control module remains underway.

These safety checks are closely linked to the June 12, 2025, crash of flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people. A preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau noted that both fuel switches were in the cutoff position during that disaster. Mohol dismissed claims of delays regarding the final crash report, stating the probe is in its final stages with a draft report expected by October.