Families of Air India Crash Victims Sue Boeing in US Court
The families of four passengers killed in the June Air India crash in Ahmedabad have filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court against Boeing and parts manufacturer Honeywell. They allege that a faulty and poorly designed fuel cutoff switch led to the crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which killed 260 people. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware, claims both companies were aware of the switch's defect but failed to alert airlines, and it seeks compensatory and punitive damages for wrongful death.
Unpacked:
Investigators found that both engines lost power after the fuel switches were flipped to “CUTOFF.” The cockpit voice recorder captured confusion between pilots about the switches’ operation, and the switches were reset to “RUN” within 14 seconds, but it was too late to recover. The AAIB ruled out other causes such as bird strikes, focusing attention on the switches’ design and placement.
Filing in a U.S. court allows plaintiffs to pursue claims against Boeing and Honeywell, both U.S.-based companies, under more plaintiff-friendly laws. U.S. courts may offer higher potential damages and broader discovery than Indian courts, making them attractive for international aviation lawsuits. Such cases often involve complex jurisdictional arguments.
As of now, Boeing and Honeywell have not issued detailed public statements specifically addressing the lawsuit’s claims about the fuel cutoff switch. Aviation safety experts note that the switches are designed to resist accidental activation, and regulatory authorities had cleared the components as safe. Both companies typically defer comment during ongoing investigations and litigation.
Maintenance records show the throttle control module, which houses the fuel switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023. However, investigators found that all regulatory and maintenance directives had been followed, and there were no public recalls or warnings about the switches prior to the crash. The lawsuit alleges the companies were aware of the risks but did not inform airlines.