The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will send two officials to Boeing’s Seattle facility in June to witness strip and test examinations of a fuel control switch panel removed from an Air India 787.
The component came under scrutiny after pilots on a London–Bengaluru flight in February reported it failed to remain in the ‘run’ position during engine starts.
DGCA previously deemed the module functional, but the regulator insists on observing the tests due to its sensitive nature. The move comes as investigators probe the Air India AI‑171 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people in June 2025. Preliminary findings revealed both fuel switches shut off seconds after take-off, starving the engines.
The Seattle tests will examine whether the switch’s locking mechanism can be moved by external pressure, a finding that could shape the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s final report expected next month.
Cockpit audio from the crash revealed pilots questioning each other about cutting the fuel supply, with both denying the action. This raised debate over mechanical faults versus human error. Families of victims and pilot unions have challenged preliminary findings in court, while the Civil Aviation Minister urged patience until the final report.
The AI‑171 disaster, which saw the Boeing 787 crash into a hostel building in Ahmedabad, left only one survivor. Eyewitness accounts described harrowing scenes, including the captain reportedly still gripping the yoke. The tragedy severely impacted Air India’s reputation and operations, making the DGCA’s Seattle inspection a critical step in restoring confidence.
