Air India Dreamliner Groundings: Fuel Switch Checks Satisfactory, Dubai Incident Under Scrutiny
The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on Tuesday that comprehensive checks conducted on an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was grounded in Bengaluru, revealed its fuel control switch lock to be operating satisfactorily. This development comes amidst heightened scrutiny following a separate incident where another Air India Dreamliner was grounded due to technical reasons, this time in Dubai.
Dubai Grounding Incident Details
The latest grounding involved a Boeing 787 aircraft, registered as VT-ANN, which was scheduled to operate flight AIC 916 from Dubai to Delhi with an 8:40 PM departure on February 2. The aircraft eventually took off on February 3 at 5:30 PM after being grounded due to what authorities have described as a technical reason. It remains unclear whether this issue is related to the fuel switch lock mechanism that has been under investigation. Air India has refrained from commenting on this specific incident.
Initial London-Bengaluru Incident and Investigation
The first grounding occurred on February 1 when the crew of another Boeing 787, registered as VT-ANX, reported a malfunction during engine start while preparing for flight AI-132 from London to Bengaluru. This incident was particularly significant because the fuel control switch locking mechanism has been a focal point in the investigation into the tragic Air India Ahmedabad crash that occurred on June 12.
Regarding the London incident, the ministry detailed that the crew observed on two separate occasions that the left engine fuel control switch did not remain positively latched in the RUN position when light vertical pressure was applied. However, during a subsequent attempt, the switch latched correctly and remained stable, allowing the crew to proceed with the flight to Bengaluru.
Comprehensive Testing and Findings
In Bengaluru, thorough checks were conducted on both the left and right fuel control switches. The ministry reported that both switches were found to be satisfactory, with the locking tooth fully seated and not slipping from the RUN to CUTOFF position. The ministry elaborated that when full force was applied parallel to the base plate, the switch remained secure. However, applying external force in an incorrect direction caused the switch to move easily from RUN to CUTOFF. This movement was attributed to the angular base plate design, which allows slippage when pressed improperly with a finger or thumb.
The ministry further stated that based on communication from Boeing, the pull-to-unlock force was meticulously checked on the fuel control switch using the recommended procedure. This testing was performed on the involved fuel cut-off switch, the fuel control unit to be installed, and the fuel cut-off switch of another aircraft. In all cases, the pull-to-unlock force was found to be within acceptable limits.
Safety Recommendations and Expert Analysis
Air India has been advised to circulate Boeing's recommended procedures for the operation of the fuel cut-off switch to its flight crew to ensure proper handling and prevent similar incidents. Aviation safety expert Captain Amit Singh provided additional insight, noting that even if force is applied in an incorrect direction, the switch should not move unless it is deliberately lifted, highlighting the complexity of the mechanism.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ruled out any fault in Air India's Boeing 787 aircraft related to these specific incidents, but continues to monitor the situation closely as investigations into the Dubai grounding proceed.
