Fuel switches and the competing theories in Air India Dreamliner crash probe

Various conspiracy theories abound in the industry as it awaits the final report on the cause of the crash of AI 171, that led to 260 deaths last year.

Eight months after the crash of AI 171 in June 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 was grounded following its London to Bengaluru flight in February 2026. The reason: a faulty fuel control switch.

A fire offical stands next to the crashed Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025. (REUTERS)

According to the ministry of civil aviation (MOCA), the aircraft was grounded after a report in the ‘Pilot Defect Report’ stated that the fuel control switch slipped from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ when it was pushed slightly. The report mentioned that the switch also did not lock