Air India Boeing 787-8 Grounded Over Fuel Control Issue
In February 2026, an Air India Boeing 787-8 was grounded after returning from a flight between London and Bengaluru. This grounding came a few months after a tragic incident involving another AI 171 flight in June 2025. The cause was identified as a malfunctioning fuel control switch.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation reported that the aircraft was taken out of service after pilots noted that the fuel control switch shifted from the ‘RUN’ to the ‘CUTOFF’ position with minimal pressure. Furthermore, the switch didn’t stay locked in place, raising safety concerns.
Following guidelines from Boeing, Air India conducted thorough inspections of the fuel control switches and confirmed they were working as intended. Despite this, they decided to send one of the switches to the U.S. for more detailed analysis, even though initial checks found nothing wrong. Remarkably, the plane was quickly restored to service.
As the aviation community continues to investigate the tragic crash of AI 171, which resulted in 260 fatalities, a spectrum of theories has arisen concerning what may have gone wrong. Although a final report is still pending, insiders suggest we may not see it until at least August, even as an interim report could be revealed in June.
Two main groups have emerged with differing views on the crash’s cause. One faction, predominantly among the pilot community and supported by various industry experts, believes that an electrical malfunction may have triggered a series of failures, pointing out that soon after takeoff, the aircraft’s emergency Ram Air Turbine deployed, indicating a major issue. They emphasize that evidence suggests a severe electrical failure, which could be more dangerous than a fuel-related incident.
In contrast, another group alleges that the crash resulted from intentional actions by the pilots. They base their claims on cockpit recordings, where one pilot questions why the fuel was cut off, with indications pointing to the first officer being the one engaging in the conversation. They argue that had the captain noticed the fuel issue earlier, he could have redirected the switches in time to prevent disaster.
These contrasting theories hold significant implications for Air India and Boeing. If an electrical failure is determined to be at fault, it could spark major accountability issues for both the airline and its parent company, Tata Sons. Air India had already been under scrutiny for safety practices, and any finding of negligence could have serious legal consequences.
As the investigation unfolds and results are anticipated, the situation continues to evoke concern among the flying public and those involved in the aviation industry. The final findings will likely resonate well beyond just technical discussions, leaving a lasting impact on aviation safety protocols.
