UK Aviation Authority Demands Explanation from Air India Over Potential Fuel Switch Fault on Boeing Dreamliner

Kathmandu. Following a Boeing Dreamliner flight from the UK that landed in India for safety checks despite a potential faulty fuel switch, the UK's Civil Aviation Authority has sought clarification from Air India.

According to Reuters, the aviation authority informed the airline in a letter dated February-3 that regulatory action could be initiated against Air India and its Boeing 787 fleet if a full response is not submitted within a week.

Sources indicate that during safety checks on Air India's Boeing-787, the airline completed inspections of the fuel control switches on all its aircraft. Air India's Boeing 787 aircraft was grounded on Monday after a pilot reported a potential fault with the fuel control switch.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed that the pilot informed the country's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Following the DGCA's directive, Air India inspected the fuel control switches on all Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet and reported that no issues were found.

The spokesperson stated that the safety of passengers and crew members is the highest priority for Air India. Following the incident, Captain CS Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), urged the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to immediately investigate the potential electrical fault in the Boeing-787 aircraft, citing repeated incidents of uncontrolled movement of the fuel control switch.

Captain Randhawa stated that this is the third recorded incident of uncontrolled movement of the fuel control switch in the Boeing-787 aircraft. It is reported that the DGCA issued a response on Tuesday regarding the malfunction of the fuel cut-off switch on Air India's Boeing B-787-8 aircraft.