Families of Air India crash victims sue Boeing and Honeywell in US over fuel-switch design
Lawsuit alleges negligence and failure to warn about a suspected design defect in the 787's fuel-control switches after the June crash that killed 260 people.
The families of four Air India Flight 171 crash victims have filed a civil lawsuit in the United States against Boeing and Honeywell, accusing the companies of negligence tied to the design and operation of the 787's fuel-control switches. The suit was filed on Tuesday in a U.S. court and is led by the Lanier Law Firm on behalf of the victims' families.
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad in June while en route to London Gatwick, killing 260 people — 229 passengers, 12 cabin crew and 19 people on the ground.
The suit claims that moving the fuel-control switches from run to cut-off can inadvertently shut off fuel to the engines, hampering thrust; it cites the aircraft's preliminary investigation by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which found the fuel to the engines was cut off moments after takeoff.
The plaintiffs assert that Boeing and Honeywell knew about the risk since designing and marketing the 787 and its components, citing a 2018 FAA advisory that urged operators to inspect the switches’ locking mechanism to prevent inadvertent movement, though the advisory was not mandatory. They say the companies failed to warn airlines about the need for inspections or to supply replacement parts to enable such repairs, and did not otherwise address the risk.
The lawsuit characterizes the situation as a design defect that allowed inadvertent fuel cutoff and total loss of thrust, asking for damages tied to negligence and product design. The families are represented by Lanier Law Firm of Texas.
Boeing and Honeywell did not provide comment in relation to the filing. Boeing pointed to the AAIB's preliminary report in response to inquiries; Honeywell did not respond to requests for comment.
The case comes as investigators prepare a more detailed report expected in 2026. The crash killed 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 cabin crew, and 19 people on the ground.