In brief
Air India has decided to ground one of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner jets after concerns were raised regarding a potential defect in the aircraft's fuel control switch. The airline has notified the Indian aviation authority and is investigating the matter in collaboration with Boeing. This precautionary measure follows a tragic crash involving a similar model last year, which claimed 260 lives.
Air India has grounded a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner jet after one of its pilots reported a possible defect in the aircraft's fuel control switch. The airline said in a statement on Monday that it had informed India's aviation regulator about the issue and that it was getting the pilot's concerns checked on a priority basis.We are in contact with Air India and are supporting their review of this matter, a Boeing spokesperson stated in response to inquiries.This decision comes amid an ongoing investigation into a plane crash last June involving an Air India aircraft of the same model, which resulted in the tragic loss of 260 lives. While the specific nature of the pilot's concerns has not been disclosed, it has been reported that the potential defect was flagged after the plane landed in Bengaluru, following a flight from London.Last year's crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, where engines failed due to fuel switch malfunctions. An initial investigation did not determine how the switches were moved from 'run' to 'cut off,' but it indicated safety issues with controls that prompted further scrutiny.Following last year's incident, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been investigating, with a final report expected to be released soon. Air India had previously confirmed that it conducted thorough checks on all fuel control switches in their fleet after a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation without finding any significant issues. The situation underscores ongoing safety concerns within aviation, particularly in relation to Boeing aircraft models.
