Ahmedabad: The families of four passengers who died in the Air India crash in June have filed a lawsuit in the United States against Boeing and Honeywell, blaming the companies for negligence and defective design.
The case alleges that faulty fuel switches contributed to the Air India flight crash and that the companies failed to take action despite being aware of the risks. Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 bound for London Gatwick, went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground.
A preliminary inquiry by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that fuel to the engines was cut off moments after liftoff. Investigators said the fuel control switch had been moved from the ‘run’ to the ‘cut-off’ position, starving the engines of thrust.
While the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has maintained that Boeing aircraft fuel switches are safe, the lawsuit cites a 2018 FAA advisory that only recommended operators inspect the locking mechanisms of the switches to prevent accidental movement.
The families argue that this advisory was inadequate and accuse Boeing and Honeywell of sitting idly instead of warning airlines, repairing faulty parts, or providing replacements. The complaint calls the switches a design ‘defect’ that enabled an inadvertent cutoff of fuel supply and ‘total loss of thrust necessary to propel’ the aircraft.
The lawsuit stated that, “And what did Honeywell and Boeing do to prevent the inevitable catastrophe? Nothing.” Boeing has declined to comment directly on the lawsuit but referred to the AAIB’s preliminary report. Honeywell has not yet responded to requests for comment. The Texas-based Lanier Law Firm is representing the families. A full and detailed crash investigation report is expected in 2026.
RELATED | Air India crash probe focuses on cockpit fuel switch
