3. Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Fuel System Safety Concerns

The recent grounding of an Air India Boeing 787-8 (Dreamliner) following a fuel control switch anomaly has reignited global aviation safety debates. This technical incident is particularly significant as it mirrors the suspected cause of the catastrophic Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025, which claimed 260 lives. • The Incident (Feb 1, 2026): During pre-flight checks at London Heathrow, the crew of flight AI 132 reported that the left engine fuel control switch spontaneously moved from the \'RUN\' to \'CUTOFF\' position. • Mechanical Safeguard Failure: The Dreamliner’s fuel switches use a \'pull-to-unlock\' two-step mechanism designed to prevent accidental shutoff. The reported movement without deliberate lifting suggests a potential failure in the mechanical detent or locking tooth. • Link to 2025 Ahmedabad Crash: Preliminary reports from the 2025 crash indicated that fuel supply to both engines was cut off seconds after takeoff. The recent London incident challenges the initial \'pilot error\' theory, suggesting a systemic technical flaw instead. • Regulatory Oversight: India\'s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have sought a \'rootcause analysis,\' while Air India has initiated a fleetwide re-inspection of its 33 Dreamliners. • Global Precedent: The FAA had issued a nonmandatory safety alert (SAIB NM-18-33) in 2018 regarding similar switch malfunctions, but the lack of a mandatory Airworthiness Directive (AD) meant many global operators had not replaced the suspect components.

• The \'Unmapped\' Risk: If the switches are prone to uncommanded movement due to vibration or \'incorrect handling\' (as suggested by DGCA), it poses a severe risk of dual-engine flameout during critical flight phases like takeoff or landing. Key Definitions • Fuel Control Switch (FCS): A cockpit toggle that regulates the flow of jet fuel to the engines; it has two primary settings: \'RUN\' (fuel flows) and \'CUTOFF\' (fuel stops, shutting down the engine). • Airworthiness Directive (AD): A legally enforceable regulation issued by aviation authorities (like the FAA or DGCA) to correct an unsafe condition in an aircraft. • Ram Air Turbine (RAT): An emergency propeller-like device that deploys automatically during total power loss to provide hydraulic pressure and basic electrical power to flight controls. Constitutional & Legal Provisions • The Aircraft Act, 1934 & Aircraft Rules, 1937: Provide the legal framework for the manufacture, possession, use, and operation of aircraft in India, empowering the DGCA to enforce safety standards. • Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB): Established under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, it is the statutory body responsible for investigating serious aircraft accidents in India (Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention). • Article 21 (Right to Life): The Supreme Court has often interpreted the State’s duty to ensure public safety in transport and infrastructure as an extension of the fundamental right to life. Conclusion The \'London Incident\' serves as a critical technical data point that may exonerate flight crews and shift the focus toward Boeing’s hardware design. Ensuring the integrity of the fuel control system is not just a maintenance requirement but a core necessity for maintaining public trust in civil aviation. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper II (Governance): Role of regulatory bodies (DGCA) and international cooperation in safety standards (ICAO/FAA/CAA). • GS Paper III (Economy & Infrastructure): Civil aviation sector challenges, impact of safety incidents on the national carrier, and the \'Make in India\' context for aerospace maintenance (MRO). • Internal Security: Ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure and transport against technical and systemic vulnerabilities