Air India Initiates Technical Inspections on All Boeing 787 Dreamliners
Technical Inspections Launched
Air India has commenced technical inspections on its entire fleet of 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This decision follows a report from a pilot regarding a malfunction in the 'fuel control switch' after a flight from London Heathrow to Bengaluru on Sunday. This action comes in the wake of a fatal incident involving a Boeing 787-8 last year, prompting a thorough examination of the aircraft's fuel systems.
Malfunction Reported After International Flight
According to sources, an Air India pilot reported an issue with the fuel control switch of the Boeing 787-8 after completing the London Heathrow to Bengaluru service. The flight, which departed London on Sunday, landed in Bengaluru on Monday morning. Upon receiving the report, the airline grounded the aircraft for a technical inspection. Consequently, Air India initiated precautionary checks across its entire Dreamliner fleet.
Pilots Informed via Email
Sources indicate that Manish Uppal, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at Air India, informed the pilots of the Boeing 787 fleet about the inspection initiative through an internal email. Uppal stated, "Following the report of a malfunction related to the fuel control switch in one of the B787 aircraft, our engineering team has prioritized this matter for evaluation with Boeing." He added, "In the meantime, while awaiting Boeing's response, our engineers have commenced precautionary rechecks of the fuel control switch latch across the fleet to verify normal operations." Uppal also reassured pilots that no adverse findings had emerged from the inspections of aircraft that had already been completed.
Crew Urged to Report Issues Promptly
In his message, Uppal urged the flight crew to remain vigilant and report any irregularities without delay. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all mandatory technical checks and corrective actions are completed before accepting the aircraft for operation. Sources noted that the airline is closely monitoring feedback from crew members as part of an ongoing safety review.
Case Forwarded to Boeing
Air India's engineering team has prioritized the reported malfunction for evaluation by Boeing. The airline is currently awaiting a response from the manufacturer to determine whether this issue indicates a significant technical concern or is an isolated incident. A source mentioned, "The case has been sent to Boeing for a detailed assessment."
Previous Inspections Following Fatal Incident
Air India conducted similar inspections last year after a tragic accident involving a Boeing 787-8 in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives. The preliminary investigation report indicated that fuel supply was interrupted shortly after takeoff, drawing attention to the functionality of the fuel control switch. Since then, the airline has intensified monitoring of critical engine and fuel system components.
Fleet Composition
Currently, Air India operates a total of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft, which includes 26 Boeing 787-8 and seven Boeing 787-9 models. This fleet comprises six aircraft acquired from Vistara and a custom-made Dreamliner that joined the airline in January. Sources confirmed that both variants are undergoing inspections as part of the ongoing process.
Focus on Safety
This recent incident has once again highlighted the importance of aircraft maintenance and technical reliability, especially for large aircraft operating on long-haul international routes. Air India officials have stated that these inspections are precautionary measures aimed at ensuring the highest safety standards. It is anticipated that once the inspection process is completed, the airline will provide a comprehensive report to aviation authorities.