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Air India has grounded one of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft after a pilot reported a fuel switch malfunction on a London–Bengaluru flight. The issue was flagged after the aircraft landed safely on Monday, February 2, 2026. The airline has confirmed that the aircraft has been taken out of service and a detailed technical examination is underway.
- Incident Reported Post Landing
The pilot noticed an issue related to the fuel switches supplying fuel to the aircraft’s two engines after the flight safely landed in Bengaluru. - Aircraft Grounded as Precaution
Air India stated that the Boeing 787-8 has been grounded as a precautionary measure while engineers assess the reported malfunction. - Focus on Fuel Control Switches
Fuel switches have come under increased scrutiny following their mention in the preliminary investigation of Air India’s Ahmedabad crash last year. - Reference to Ahmedabad Crash Report
The preliminary report into the June crash noted that fuel switches transitioned to the “CUTOFF” position sequentially, leading to engine shutdown and loss of thrust. - Cause Yet to Be Determined
The investigation report did not clarify whether the switch movement was accidental or deliberate, sparking debate within aviation circles. - Airline Monitoring Fleet Safety
Air India has reiterated its commitment to safety and said it is closely monitoring all technical inputs related to its Boeing 787 fleet.
