Air India Flight Grounded After 'Fuel Switch' Alert, Ghost of Ahmedabad Crash Returns

Air India has grounded one of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft after a pilot flagged a possible problem with the fuel switch, reopening memories of the fatal Ahmedabad crash that claimed hundreds of lives last year.

The aircraft was grounded without delay, and the matter was formally reported to the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Air India has also approached the aircraft manufacturer to urgently examine the issue.

"We are aware that one of our pilots has reported a possible defect on the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. After receiving this initial information, we have grounded the said aircraft and are involving the OEM to get the pilot's concerns checked on a priority basis. The matter has been communicated to the aviation regulator, DGCA. Air India had checked the fuel control switches on all Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet after a directive from the DGCA, and had found no issues. At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains top priority," the spokesperson said.

The case has caused unease because of its troubling links to the tragic Air India crash that occurred in June last year, soon after take-off from Ahmedabad. The accident claimed 260 lives, including passengers, crew members and people on the ground, and sent shockwaves across the country.

A preliminary probe into that crash revealed a disturbing moment inside the cockpit. Just seconds before the aircraft lost power, one pilot was heard asking the other why the fuel supply had been cut. The other pilot reportedly replied that he had not done so. Moments later, the plane began losing height and crashed near the airport.

While Air India has said that fuel switches on all its Dreamliner aircraft were checked earlier and no problems were found, the fresh alert from a pilot has once again put focus on the same issue that surfaced during the crash investigation.

Aviation officials say the DGCA is keeping a close watch. For many, the grounding is not just a routine safety step, it is also a reminder of how a single cockpit concern can mean the difference between a safe landing and catastrophe, and why pilots speaking up in time can save lives.

Also Read: “Why Did You Cut Off?”: Pilot’s Last Words Before Air India Jet Crashed, Killing 260