New Delhi, Feb 1 (.) An Air India Boeing 787‑8 aircraft, flight AI‑132, operating from London to Bangalore on Sunday, experienced an irregularity with its fuel control switch during engine start, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said on Tuesday.
The MoCA said in a statement that the VT‑ANX aircraft’s crew noticed that the fuel control switch did not remain firmly latched in the ‘RUN’ position on two initial attempts.
On the third attempt, the switch latched correctly and stayed stable. Before proceeding, the flight crew physically verified the switch’s engagement and subsequently monitored engine parameters, warnings, and alert systems closely throughout the flight.
No abnormal indications or cautions were recorded at any time, and the flight continued to Bangalore without incident.
Upon arrival in Bangalore, the crew reported the anomaly in the aircraft’s Pilot Defect Report (PDR). Air India immediately referred the matter to Boeing for technical guidance.
“Engineering teams, in consultation with Boeing and in the presence of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials, inspected both left and right fuel control switches. The checks confirmed that the locking mechanism, including the pawl and locking tooth, was intact and within operational limits,” the statement read.
Standard “pull‑to‑unlock” force tests also fell within prescribed tolerances.
Investigators determined that the switch’s design, specifically the angular base plate, can permit unintended movement from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ if lateral force is applied in an incorrect direction with a finger or thumb.
Independent analysis of a video circulating on social media showed that the procedure demonstrated was inconsistent with Boeing’s operational guidance.
To prevent misinterpretation, the airline has been advised to issue Boeing’s recommended procedure for fuel control switch operation to all flight crew members.
Earlier, it was said the pilot had operated flight AI 132 from London to Bengaluru. After the aircraft landed at Bengaluru airport, the pilot reported a defect in the fuel switch.
Subsequently, an Air India spokesperson said, “We are aware that one of our pilots reported a potential malfunction in the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Following this preliminary information, the aircraft concerned has been taken out of service.”
. DSV RB 1843