PTI photo NEW DELHI: Air India has launched a fleet-wide inspection of fuel control switches on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft after a malfunction was reported on a flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru.The move follows an incident earlier this week in which a pilot flagged a defect in the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft after landing in Bengaluru. The aircraft, which operated the London–Bengaluru flight, was immediately grounded for detailed checks.Confirming the action, Air India’s senior vice president for flight operations, Manish Uppal, informed Boeing 787 pilots that the airline had initiated a precautionary re-inspection of the entire Dreamliner fleet.“Following the reported defect involving a fuel control switch on one of the B787 aircraft, our engineering team has escalated the matter to Boeing for priority evaluation,” Uppal said in an internal communication, PTI quoted sources.“In the interim, while we await Boeing’s response, our engineers — out of an abundance of caution — have initiated precautionary fleet-wide re-inspection of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) latch to verify normal operations,” he added.Uppal further informed pilots that no adverse findings had been reported so far on the aircraft that have already undergone re-inspection.He also directed crew members to promptly report any defects noticed during operations and to ensure that all mandatory checks are completed before accepting an aircraft for service.At present, Air India operates 33 Boeing 787 aircraft. These include 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners from the legacy Air India fleet and seven Boeing 787-9 aircraft, of which six were inducted from Vistara and one is a custom-made plane added to the fleet in January this year.The latest inspections come amid heightened scrutiny of the aircraft’s fuel control system. The functioning of the fuel control switch has been under focus since a fatal crash involving a Boeing 787-8 last June, in which 260 people lost their lives. The preliminary investigation report into that accident had pointed to a possible fuel supply cutoff soon after take-off.Air India had carried out similar inspections last year following the tragic crash.The airline has now assured that all necessary precautions are being taken and that the issue has been escalated to Boeing for further technical evaluation.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLower Tariffs, Bigger Claims, And Russian Oil Pressure: Inside The New India-US Trade Agreement“India Kept Calm Under US Pressure” CSIS Expert Rossow On Trade Pact“Deal Is A Key Priority For Both Sides” Us Expert Lauds India-Us Trade PactTrump Announces India-US Trade Deal, Reduces Reciprocal Tariffs On Delhi To 18%; PM Modi ReactsAir India Grounds Dreamliner After Pilot Flags Fuel Control Switch Issue in London-Bengaluru Flight’Nonsense, Lies’: BJP Blasts Rahul Gandhi For Citing Ex-Army Chief Naravane’s Memoir, Oppn Hits BackChina Slams Dalai Lama’s Grammy Win, Calls It Political Manipulation Warns Against Anti-China MovesShowdown In Parliament As Rahul Gandhi Quotes Ex-Army Chief Naravane’s Book on China’Arrogant, Liar’: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Attacks CEC Gyanesh After SIR Meet In DelhiPak Analyst Rips Munir Over Trump Minerals Pitch And IMF Loans After US Snubs Pakistan On Pax Silica123PhotostoriesThe BTS story: Know all about this K-pop boy band’s early days, big triumphs, and roadblocksHow to make Bread Upma for breakfast at homeHidden costs of buying a home that buyers often ignoreWhy one should not bring home Gangajal from KashiBaby names inspired by Lord hanuman’s strength8 viral cabbage recipes and why we consider them the best6 plants that change colour with seasons or sunlight8 baby boy names that are inspired by successful celebritiesHow to make South Indian Beetroot and Paneer Paniyaram for breakfast at home10 best travel ideas for Valentine’s Day 2026 weekend123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesCigarette Prices HikeIndia US TradeIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingSuper Bowl HalftimeMLB Trade RumorsGeorge SpringerTom BradyTampa Bay LightningNHL Trade RumorsTop YouTube ChannelsRyan ClarkQuinn HughesJoel Embiid
NEW DELHI: Air India has launched a fleet-wide inspection of fuel control switches on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft after a malfunction was reported on a flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru.The move follows an incident earlier this week in which a pilot flagged a defect in the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft after landing in Bengaluru. The aircraft, which operated the London–Bengaluru flight, was immediately grounded for detailed checks.Confirming the action, Air India’s senior vice president for flight operations, Manish Uppal, informed Boeing 787 pilots that the airline had initiated a precautionary re-inspection of the entire Dreamliner fleet.“Following the reported defect involving a fuel control switch on one of the B787 aircraft, our engineering team has escalated the matter to Boeing for priority evaluation,” Uppal said in an internal communication, PTI quoted sources.“In the interim, while we await Boeing’s response, our engineers — out of an abundance of caution — have initiated precautionary fleet-wide re-inspection of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) latch to verify normal operations,” he added.Uppal further informed pilots that no adverse findings had been reported so far on the aircraft that have already undergone re-inspection.He also directed crew members to promptly report any defects noticed during operations and to ensure that all mandatory checks are completed before accepting an aircraft for service.At present, Air India operates 33 Boeing 787 aircraft. These include 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners from the legacy Air India fleet and seven Boeing 787-9 aircraft, of which six were inducted from Vistara and one is a custom-made plane added to the fleet in January this year.The latest inspections come amid heightened scrutiny of the aircraft’s fuel control system. The functioning of the fuel control switch has been under focus since a fatal crash involving a Boeing 787-8 last June, in which 260 people lost their lives. The preliminary investigation report into that accident had pointed to a possible fuel supply cutoff soon after take-off.Air India had carried out similar inspections last year following the tragic crash.The airline has now assured that all necessary precautions are being taken and that the issue has been escalated to Boeing for further technical evaluation.
