• UK's aviation authority requests details from Air India regarding a fuel-switch incident involving a Boeing 787.
• The incident occurred after a Boeing Dreamliner took off with a suspected fuel switch defect.
• Air India is conducting an internal investigation into crew protocol adherence before the flight.
• Failure to comply could lead to regulatory actions against Air India’s operations.
• Boeing must ensure ongoing safety checks of its 787 fleet after previous incidents.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has formally requested Air India to clarify how a Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed London with a potentially defective fuel switch, which led to its grounding upon arrival in India. The CAA's communication included a warning of possible regulatory repercussions if Air India fails to provide a full report within a week, emphasizing that such requests are standard practice following aircraft incidents, according to Reuters and India Times.

The airline reported that the flight crew experienced issues with the fuel control switch on two occasions before it was able to latch correctly on the third attempt. Despite this, the crew chose to proceed with the flight to India, where they later reported a possible defect, compelling the grounding of the aircraft for thorough checks, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

In response, Air India stated they are conducting an investigation to determine if proper protocols were followed by the crew. "The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority," the airline emphasized. Reports note that the CAA is demanding a detailed analysis of the incident, including a root-cause examination and a preventive action plan to avert future occurrences, as indicated by Reuters.

Moreover, following a similar incident last year where a Boeing Dreamliner crash in Gujarat resulted in 260 fatalities, there is heightened scrutiny regarding Air India's Boeing 787 fleet operation standards, emphasizing the critical nature of fuel switch integrity within aviation safety protocols, detailed in reports by India Times and Channel News Asia.