The possible defect was flagged by a pilot. (Representative image)
NEW DELHI: Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said both switches of an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft were found to be “satisfactory” after the pilots reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch upon landing in Bengaluru from London.The incident occurred earlier this week. In response, Air India grounded the aircraft and initiated a fleet-wide inspection of fuel control switches on its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner fleet.“Both left and right switches were checked and found satisfactory, with the locking tooth/pawl fully seated and not slipping from RUN to CUTOFF. When full force was applied parallel to the base plate, the switch remained secure. However, applying external force in an indirect direction caused the switch to move easily from RUN to CUTOFF, due to the angular base plate allowing slip when pressed improperly with a finger or thumb,” the DGCA said in a statement, according to ANI.The aviation regulator further stated, citing its communication with the manufacturer Boeing, that the US-based aircraft maker had checked the pull-to-unlock force using the recommended procedure, and in all cases, it was found to be within limits. The DGCA noted that these checks were conducted in the presence of its officers. Meanwhile, according to sources, an issue was identified with a “specific component” of the jet, with the component set to be replaced. “Air India will send the impacted Fuel Control Switch module to the OEM for further checks. The total life of the component in question is 20,000 hours, but the total hours used so far are only 3,440. The component has been used for less than 20% of its total lifespan,” the sources said. As per the DGCA, on February 1, an Air India B787-8 aircraft operating flight AI132 from London to Bengaluru experienced a fuel control switch issue. During engine start in London, the flight crew observed on two occasions that the switch did not remain positively latched in the “RUN” position when light vertical pressure was applied. The switch engaged correctly on the third attempt and remained stable. Before continuing with the rest of the procedure, the crew performed a physical verification to confirm that the switch was fully and positively latched in the “RUN” position.“No abnormality was observed during engine start or anytime thereafter. The operating crew member was briefed on the observation, unnecessary contact with the switch was avoided, and engine indications and alerting systems were closely monitored by the crew for the remainder of the flight, which was completed without any incident,” the statement read.Upon landing in Bengaluru, the matter was referred to Boeing, which recommended checking the serviceability of the fuel control switch, the DGCA added.In June last year, an Air India Boeing 787-8 was involved in a fatal crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, marking India’s worst aviation accident in three decades. Flight AI171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad for London, hitting a nearby hostel. Of the 12 crew members and 230 passengers on board, only one passenger survived. On the ground, 19 people were killed and 67 others were seriously injured. Go to Source
