The Civil Aviation Ministry announced that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to examine the fuel control switch of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 flight that was grounded in February. The aircraft, with registration VT-ANX, experienced a defect where the left Fuel Control Switch (FCS) would shift from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” without locking securely after a flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru.
Following recommendations from the OEM, Air India conducted inspections and tests on the Fuel Control Switches (FCS) under DGCA supervision. The OEM confirmed that the Fuel Control Switch was operating correctly as per design and deemed it serviceable after reviewing inspection outcomes and evidence provided.
In line with ensuring the airworthiness of the Fuel Control Switch, DGCA has mandated its inspection at the OEM facility in the presence of DGCA officials. Air India’s engineering department previously verified the serviceability of both left and right switches based on Boeing’s recommendations, noting that the switches were secure unless subjected to improper external force causing them to move from RUN to CUTOFF.
