India's aviation regulator has directed the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to inspect the fuel control switch involved in an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft incident that led to the grounding of a London Heathrow–Bengaluru flight earlier this year.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the Air India aircraft, registered as VT-ANX and operating flight AIC-132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru on February 2, 2026, was grounded after pilots reported an issue with the left Fuel Control Switch (FCS).
According to the Pilot Defect Report (PDR), “the left Fuel Control Switch (FCS) slips from ‘RUN' to ‘CUTOFF' when pushed slightly and does not lock positively in its selected position.”
Based on recommendations from the OEM, Air India carried out inspection and functional testing of both fuel control switches in the presence of DGCA officials and in line with procedures prescribed by the manufacturer.
“Upon review of the inspection results and evidence provided, OEM concluded that the Fuel Control Switch was mechanically functioning as designed and considered the unit serviceable,” the Civil Aviation Ministry statement said.
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However, the DGCA said it has instructed the OEM to conduct a further inspection of the switches at its facility in the presence of DGCA officers as part of continued airworthiness checks.
“The DGCA India, as part of continued airworthiness of the involved Fuel Control Switch, has directed for their inspection at OEM facility in presence of DGCA officers,” the statement added.
The Civil Aviation Ministry also referred to an earlier assessment conducted in February based on Boeing-recommended checks. According to the ministry, Air India's engineering team found both the left and right fuel control switches satisfactory, with “the locking tooth fully seated and not slipping from RUN to CUTOFF.”
The earlier statement added: “When full force was applied parallel to the base plate, the switch remained secure. However, applying external force in an incorrect direction caused the switch to move easily from RUN to CUTOFF, due to the angular base plate allowing slip when pressed improperly with finger or thumb.”
Following the aircraft's landing in Bengaluru, the flight crew reported the issue in the PDR, after which Air India referred the matter to Boeing for technical guidance. Subsequent checks were conducted by the airline's engineering department in the presence of DGCA officials.
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