Whalesbook
Air India Investigates Boeing 787 Fuel Switch
Air India is sending a Boeing 787 fuel control switch module for testing at a U.S. Boeing facility. This action comes after a pilot reported the switch disengaged from the 'RUN' position to 'CUTOFF' with little pressure during an engine start in London on February 2. The crew needed three attempts to secure the switch before the flight to Delhi could proceed.
Engine Fuel Control Mechanism
These fuel control switches are designed with a pull-and-lock feature to prevent accidental shut-off of fuel to the engines. The intense focus on these components is due to a fatal Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad last June. Preliminary findings suggested that both engines lost fuel supply because the switches moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' after takeoff. The exact cause of that crash is still under investigation.
Regulatory Oversight and Manufacturer Involvement
An Air India spokesperson stated that both Boeing and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had previously found the fuel control switch module to be functional. The additional testing is being done out of "abundant caution." Following the recent incident, Air India inspected all of its 787s' fuel control switch latches and found no issues. The DGCA had also previously advised Air India to share Boeing's operating procedures for the Fuel CUT OFF switch with its pilots. Inspections overseen by DGCA officers confirmed that the force required to unlock these switches was within acceptable limits.
Past Warnings and Safety Scrutiny
This situation is similar to a 2018 FAA bulletin that highlighted potential disengagement problems with locking mechanisms on certain Boeing fuel control switches, including those used on the 787. While initially an advisory, the DGCA later mandated inspections for most Boeing aircraft in India after the AI-171 crash. Regulators are expected to monitor the U.S. testing due to the sensitivity of the issue. The investigation into the AI-171 crash, which killed 260 people, identified the fuel control switches moving from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' as the probable cause, although the specific trigger is still being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Next Steps
Testing of the specific fuel control switch module is expected to provide clearer answers about its function. This will aid the ongoing investigation into the safety systems of the Boeing 787 fleet. Air India and regulatory bodies aim to ensure high safety standards through careful examination and open processes.