Where are fuel switches located? Can they be accidentally turned off on a Boeing 787?

A preliminary investigation report into the deadly Air India Boeing 787 crash has revealed a critical finding: both engine fuel control switches were moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' shortly after takeoff.

The revelation has raised questions around a critical component in the cockpit: the fuel control switches. These switches, though small, play a central role in controlling the aircraft’s engines, and mishandling them, even unintentionally, can have serious consequences.

Where are the fuel control switches located?

On a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the fuel control switches are located just below the engine thrust levers in the centre console of the cockpit. In aircraft operated by Air India, which use GE engines, there are two such switches, one for each engine.

These switches are spring-loaded and designed to stay in their set position, either 'RUN' (which supplies fuel to the engines) or 'CUTOFF' (which cuts off the fuel). To move a switch, a pilot must first lift the switch upward and then toggle it between RUN and CUTOFF. This added step is an intentional safeguard meant to prevent accidental activation.

Can these switches be accidentally turned off?

While safety measures are built into the design, accidental deactivation is not impossible. Human error, especially during high-stress or complex situations, can lead to incorrect switch handling. Though rare, aviation history has seen instances where pilots unintentionally cut off fuel supply mid-flight.

Despite having redundant systems and multiple layers of protection, the Boeing 787 remains a human-operated machine. That means procedural missteps, distraction, or miscommunication in the cockpit can still result in a fuel switch being moved unintentionally.

A historical parallel: Delta airlines in the 1980s

One notable case occurred in the 1980s when a Delta Air Lines pilot flying a Boeing 767 mistakenly turned off fuel to both engines. Fortunately, the aircraft was at a higher cruising altitude, giving the crew enough time to restart the engines and avoid disaster.

In contrast, the recent Air India crash involved a fuel cutoff just seconds after takeoff, leaving the crew little altitude and almost no time to recover.