Last updated: July 29, 2026

No Fault Found in Dreamliner Fuel Switch as Supreme Court Sets Timeline for Air India Crash Report

Federal investigators found no abnormalities in the fuel control switch locking mechanism of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing 260 people on board and on the ground. Civil aviation state minister Murlidhar Mohol informed the Rajya Sabha on July 27 that tests conducted at Boeing's facility in Seattle showed the switch's structural integrity was intact. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India agreed on July 28 to wait for the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to complete its final report, which is expected between mid-September and the end of October 2026.

Why This Is Trending

The tragedy surrounding Air India flight AI-171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 that struck a medical college hostel complex shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, remains under intense public scrutiny. The crash killed 241 people on board—with just 1 surviving passenger—and 19 people on the ground. Search interest spiked following back-to-back updates in India's parliament and the Supreme Court regarding mechanical testing in the U.S. and questions over whether pilot actions or system failures caused both engines to shut down.

What Happened

A preliminary investigation report released last year revealed that both engine fuel control switches moved from the 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position shortly after rotation, severing fuel flow and stalling the aircraft. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking why the switches had been moved, while the other denied doing so. To determine whether a mechanical flaw allowed the switches to slip, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered original equipment manufacturer (OEM) testing in Seattle.

The government confirmed that testing of the switch locking mechanism and detents revealed no structural faults. However, the examination of the complete thrust control module remains underway in Seattle. Concerns over the hardware had also been raised separately in February 2026, when an Air India pilot flagged a potential fuel switch defect after landing a Dreamliner in Bengaluru from London Heathrow, leading to that aircraft being grounded for checks.

What We Know So Far

Legal challenges brought before the Supreme Court by petitioners, including Pushkar Raj Sabharwal—the 91-year-old father of co-pilot Sumeet Sabharwal—and the pilots' federation, have raised questions about the probe's independence. Petitioner filings cited four sequential camera frames from the airport showing what appears to be the premature deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency generator that deploys when primary electrical systems fail, while the jet was still rolling on the runway. The filings contend that this indicates an electrical or digital failure in the Common Core System before crew inputs occurred.

Addressing the court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta rejected claims of investigation delays or bias, stating that 44 of 69 mandatory ICAO steps have been completed by six specialist groups. He noted that individual components had to be shipped overseas to original manufacturers for detailed testing.

Why It Matters

For international travelers and the global aviation community, the findings are critical to confirming the safety of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. For the families of the 260 victims, the probe represents a long-awaited demand for answers. The Supreme Court accepted a request from Sabharwal that the final AAIB report be submitted to the court in a sealed cover upon completion to respect the family's privacy, rather than being immediately released to the public domain.

What Happens Next

The AAIB expects its analysis phase to wrap up within weeks, after which a draft final report will be shared with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for mandatory international review under ICAO Annex 13. The final report is scheduled to be submitted to the Supreme Court between mid-September and the end of October 2026. The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated it will decide whether to pursue further judicial inquiry after reviewing the final submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad?

Preliminary findings showed both engine fuel switches transitioned from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' shortly after take-off, cutting fuel to the engines. OEM testing in Seattle found no physical abnormality in the switch locking mechanism, and the full thrust control module remains under inspection.

When will the final Air India crash report be released?

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the AAIB draft report is expected by October 2026, with the final report targeted between mid-September and late October 2026.How many people died in the Air India AI-171 accident?

The crash resulted in 260 total fatalities, including 241 people on board (12 crew members and 229 passengers) and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

Was any mechanical defect found in the Boeing Dreamliner fuel switches?

Civil aviation state minister Murlidhar Mohol confirmed to the Rajya Sabha that detailed structural testing of the fuel control switch locking detents in Seattle revealed no abnormalities.