Indian regulators are taking a closer look at the fuel-control switches onboard Boeing 787 aircraft. The inspection stems from last year’s fatal Air India Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad. As another flight reported a possible defect earlier this year, the issue is being revisited.
DCGA Scepticism Sparks Fresh Review
According to documents reviewed by Reuters, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) instructed Air India to thoroughly test the fuel-control switches module.
On March 9, 2026, the regulator’s Deputy Director of airworthiness wrote in an email,
“As the matter is sensitive in nature, Air India is hereby directed to ensure that the strip/test examination at OEM’s (Boeing) premises is carried out in the presence of a DGCA officer.”
The testing will take place in Seattle.
Unusual movement was originally reported back in February 2026 by pilots onboard an Air India flight from London to Bengaluru. Upon starting the engine, the switches were not staying locked in the “run position”. Reportedly, the switches shifted out of place twice before remaining stable on the third attempt ahead of takeoff. This prompted the module to be removed from the affected Boeing 787.
While it is not unusual for aircraft manufacturers to analyse components after technical reports from airlines, the email did not explain why Indian authorities considered the issue “sensitive” or why regulators insisted on attending the examination.
The switches have faced scrutiny since preliminary findings into the Air India 787 crash in Ahmedabad suggested they were shut off nearly simultaneously. This then cut off the fuel supply to the engine.
Air India Defends Safety of Aircraft Component
Air India said Boeing and the DGCA had already reached an understanding and determined that the module was operating normally.
In a statement shared by the airline, the module was confirmed as “fully functional” by inspectors. The decision to proceed with further testing is:
“understood to be intended to ensure a thorough and conclusive evaluation … as a measure of abundant caution.” The additional testing “involves examination in a controlled laboratory environment to definitively confirm its performance and integrity,” Air India said.
As the incident occurred in London, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority commented that it is also “closely monitoring Air India’s adherence to its processes.”
Overall, the matter places prime focus on Boeing’s Dreamliner aircraft at a sensitive time as investigators work toward a final report on the Gujarat disaster.
The latest testing has put Boeing’s Dreamliner systems back under the spotlight. What do you make of the DGCA’s involvement? Share your thoughts in the comments.
