FAA’s Bedford Rules Out Mechanical Problem With Fuel Switches in Air India Crash

Controls have emerged as a major focus of the Indian government’s investigation.

Zach Vasile

Friday, July 25, 2025 at 01:40 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Air India Boeing 787-8 [Credit: Shutterstock/Soos Jozsef]

Key Takeaways:

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that the June Air India 787 crash, which killed 260 people, does not appear to be caused by a mechanical problem with the aircraft's fuel control switches.
This assessment contrasts with India's preliminary investigation, which found the fuel control switches were manually moved to the "Cutoff" position, leading to engine shutdown mid-climb.
The Indian report also noted Air India did not follow a 2018 FAA advisory concerning inspections of fuel switch locking mechanisms, although the FAA clarifies this advisory was about disengaged locking features, not inherent unsafety of the devices.

See a mistake? Contact us.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Thursday that the June crash of an Air India flight that killed 260 people does not appear to have been caused by a mechanical problem with the aircraft’s fuel control switches, which have emerged as a major focus in the Indian government’s investigation into the disaster.

“We can say with a high level of confidence it doesn’t appear to be a mechanical issue with the Boeing fuel control unit,” Bedford told reporters at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, according to Reuters.