Boeing 787 Cleared of Fuel Safety Issue, Ongoing Inspections Continue

The Boeing 787 has been cleared of a fuel safety problem following a lengthy investigation in February 2026. The issue centered around a potential defect in the fuel control switch, which controls the flow of fuel into the engines.

After Air India pilots flagged a concern with the left fuel control switch on one of their aircraft, the airline grounded the jet and sent it to Boeing for inspection. Additional inspections were conducted on the wider 787 fleet as a precaution, but no problems were found in the locking mechanism across these widebodies.

Boeing's OEM-level examination determined that there was no abnormality in the switch or its locking detents. The component was deemed serviceable at the time of the incident.

However, ongoing inspections into the entire thrust control module are still underway at Boeing's facilities, as part of continued safety debates and efforts tied to the 2025 Dreamliner crash that killed all but one aboard and more on the ground. The investigations following this incident turned to focus on the fuel controls switch movement in the final seconds before the plane came crashing down.