The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued a formal demand to Air India for a comprehensive explanation regarding a concerning incident involving a Boeing Dreamliner flight that departed from London Heathrow Airport. The regulatory body is seeking urgent clarification on why the aircraft was permitted to proceed with its journey despite experiencing a significant fuel control switch malfunction during the pre-flight engine start procedure.
Technical Malfunction During Engine Start
According to aviation authorities, the Air India flight bound for Bangalore encountered a critical technical issue as pilots initiated the engine start sequence. The fuel control switch, a crucial component responsible for regulating fuel flow to the aircraft's engines, failed to properly lock into the required 'run' position not once, but twice during the procedure. Despite this repeated malfunction, the switch eventually stabilised and the aircraft was cleared for departure from Heathrow.
Regulatory Deadline and Potential Consequences
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has established a strict one-week deadline for Air India to provide a thorough response detailing the circumstances surrounding this incident. Aviation regulators have explicitly warned that failure to deliver a satisfactory explanation within this timeframe could result in formal regulatory action being taken against the airline and its Boeing 787 fleet operating within UK airspace.
This regulatory scrutiny comes at a particularly sensitive time for Air India, as the incident follows last year's devastating Air India crash in which fuel control switches were identified as a contributing factor to the tragedy that claimed 241 lives. The previous incident has placed additional pressure on both the airline and aviation authorities to ensure rigorous safety protocols are maintained.
Air India's Response and Fleet Inspections
In response to the Heathrow incident and subsequent regulatory inquiry, Air India has confirmed that precautionary re-inspections of fuel control switches across its entire Boeing 787 fleet have been conducted. The airline maintains that these comprehensive inspections revealed no additional issues or concerns with the fuel control systems on their Dreamliner aircraft.
Air India officials have stated their intention to cooperate fully with the UK Civil Aviation Authority's investigation and will provide a detailed response addressing the regulator's concerns within the specified timeframe. The airline emphasises its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards across all operations.
Broader Implications for Aviation Safety
This incident raises important questions about aviation safety protocols and decision-making processes when technical anomalies occur during pre-flight procedures. Aviation experts note that fuel control systems represent critical safety components, and any malfunction requires thorough investigation before aircraft are cleared for departure.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority's intervention underscores the rigorous safety oversight maintained by British aviation regulators and their commitment to ensuring all aircraft operating within UK airspace meet stringent safety requirements. This case will likely prompt broader discussions within the aviation industry about response protocols when technical issues emerge during pre-flight checks.
