UK CAA Issues Stern Warning to Air India Following Boeing 787 Fuel Switch Incident

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has formally demanded a “detailed explanation” from Air India regarding a safety incident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight AI132) that departed London for Bengaluru on February 1, 2026. The regulator has warned of potential regulatory action against the airline and its entire Dreamliner fleet if a comprehensive response is not provided within one week.

The Incident: What Happened in the Cockpit?

During the pre-flight engine start at London Heathrow, the flight crew noticed “abnormal behavior” with the left engine fuel control switch.

• The Glitch: The switch—which must be lifted and latched to remain in the “RUN” position—failed to stay locked and slipped toward “CUTOFF” on two separate attempts.
• The Decision: On the third attempt, the switch appeared to latch correctly. Despite the initial failures, the crew proceeded with the long-haul flight to Bengaluru, where the aircraft was subsequently grounded for a “priority inspection.”
• Why it Matters: A fuel switch slipping to “CUTOFF” during flight would immediately starve the engine of fuel, causing an inadvertent engine shutdown.

A Haunting Precedent: The 2025 Ahmedabad Crash

The UK CAA’s aggressive stance is driven by the tragic memory of Air India Flight 171, which crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people.

• The Cause: Preliminary reports from that crash indicated that both fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” just seconds after takeoff, leading to total power loss.
• The Scrutiny: Because the fuel switches are a central focus of the ongoing Ahmedabad investigation, the UK regulator is questioning why an aircraft showing similar symptoms was permitted to depart London instead of being grounded immediately for repairs.

Official Responses: “Human Error” vs. “Technical Fault”