Safety Matters Foundation Calls for Transparent Investigation After New Boeing 787 Fuel System Incident

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Safety Matters Foundation Calls for Transparent Investigation After New Boeing 787 Fuel System Incident Urges regulators and airlines to verify fleet-wide airworthiness, cites unresolved safety warnings

New Delhi, 02 Feb 2026 – The Safety Matters Foundation (SMF) today highlights a serious and recurring safety concern involving Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Air India, following a documented incident on a recent international flight.

On 02 Feb 2026, during the operation of Air India Flight AI132 (London Heathrow to Bengaluru), the crew reported abnormal behaviour of the LEFT engine fuel control switch on Boeing 787-9 aircraft VT-ANX. During engine start, the switch failed to remain locked in the RUN position on two attempts, moving towards CUTOFF—a malfunction that could, under specific conditions, lead to an inadvertent engine shutdown in flight.

This incident is especially alarming as it mirrors a known risk previously identified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2018, the FAA issued Safety Alert For Operators SAIB NM-18-33, explicitly warning that certain fuel control switches, including those on Boeing 787s, could malfunction in this exact manner, increasing the risk of accidental engine shutdown. The FAA recommended inspection and replacement of affected units.

“What makes this event deeply troubling is not only that it happened, but that it occurred after Air India publicly stated it had conducted precautionary checks across its 787 fleet and found no issues,” said Capt. Amit Singh, Founder of Safety Matters Foundation. “This discrepancy raises urgent questions: Were the checks thorough? Is this a new, recurring defect? Passengers and crews deserve unambiguous answers.”

The Foundation notes that this incident comes against the backdrop of the ongoing investigation into the tragic loss of Air India Flight AI171 on 12 June 2025, which also involved a Boeing 787. While no connection is implied, the repeated emergence of issues with a critical flight control system on the same aircraft type demands the highest level of scrutiny.

Safety Matters Foundation calls for:

1. Immediate and Transparent Disclosure by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India of the findings from the inspection of VT-ANX.

2. Re-evaluation of Precautionary Checks – A transparent review of the methodology and results of the earlier fleet-wide inspections of fuel control switches.

3. Proactive Communication – That airlines and regulators ensure flight crews are fully aware of the specific FAA advisory and reporting procedures for any switch anomalies.

4. Urgent Regulatory Review – For the DGCA to determine if this is an isolated incident or indicative of a fleet-wide issue requiring immediate airworthiness directive action.

“Safety is built on a foundation of transparent reporting, rigorous inspection, and proactive correction. When a known warning from years ago manifests in flight today, we must ask if the system is learning fast enough,” added Capt. Amit Singh. “We urge all stakeholders to treat this with the seriousness it deserves to ensure public confidence is maintained.” The Foundation reiterates that its concern is systemic and procedural. It does not attribute blame to the operating crew, who acted professionally in managing the incident and reporting it through proper channels.

About Safety Matters Foundation: Safety Matters Foundation is a non-profit advocacy organisation dedicated to the promotion of transport safety through research, public awareness, and policy engagement. We work to ensure that safety systems are robust, transparent, and continuously improved.

Media Contact: Capt. Amit Singh FRAeS

Safety Matters Foundation

amit@safetymatters.co.in

+919899399776