New Delhi

Air India will replace a specific component on one of its Boeing 787 aircraft after an issue was identified with the part, sources said on Tuesday.

According to sources, the affected fuel control switch module will be sent to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for detailed inspection and further checks. The component is not currently installed on the aircraft and will be replaced as part of the standard corrective process.

Sources added that the total certified life of the component is 20,000 flight hours. However, the module in question has logged only 3,440 flight hours, accounting for less than 20 per cent of its approved operational life.

The development follows the grounding of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Monday after a pilot reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch.

An Air India spokesperson confirmed that a pilot had flagged a potential issue with the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft and that the matter has been communicated to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator.

The spokesperson said the airline is engaging the OEM to address the pilot’s concerns on a priority basis.

“We are aware that one of our pilots has reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch of a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. After receiving this information, the aircraft was grounded, and the OEM has been involved to examine the issue on priority. The matter has been communicated to the DGCA,” the spokesperson said.

The airline further said it had inspected the fuel control switches on all Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet following a directive from the DGCA and found no issues.

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“At Air India, the safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the spokesperson added.