Indian aviation regulators are set to travel to Boeing’s Seattle facility this June to oversee an intensive examination of a fuel-control switch module. The component was removed from an Air India 787 in February after pilots on a London-to-Bengaluru flight reported that the switches failed to lock into the "run" position during initial engine start attempts. Although Boeing and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) previously deemed the unit functional, Indian officials have classified the upcoming laboratory testing as "sensitive," insisting on direct oversight to ensure absolute certainty regarding the equipment's integrity.

This move comes as India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau prepares its final report on a tragic 2023 crash in Gujarat, which resulted in 260 fatalities. Investigators previously noted that the fuel switches on the crashed Dreamliner were shut off simultaneously, leading to engine fuel starvation. While U.S. regulators have suggested the crash was not mechanical in nature, Indian officials are prioritizing a thorough investigation into the switch’s locking mechanism to rule out any potential design flaws or external pressure sensitivity. Air India is funding the trip for the DGCA officials, signaling a commitment to a conclusive evaluation as the one-year anniversary of the fatal accident approaches.