Families of Air India Crash Victims Sue Boeing and Honeywell Over Alleged Faulty Parts
The families of four victims of the Air India Flight 171 crash have filed a lawsuit in the United States against aerospace giants Boeing and Honeywell, alleging that faulty aircraft components led to the deadly accident.
The case, filed on Tuesday and obtained by the BBC, claims that defective fuel switches caused the crash and accuses the companies of negligence for failing to act despite allegedly knowing about the risks. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, went down shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad in June, killing 260 people, including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground.
According to a preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the aircraft’s engines lost thrust moments after takeoff when a fuel control switch was moved from the “run” position to “cut-off,” disrupting the fuel supply. Investigators are now focused on whether a design flaw made this malfunction possible.
The lawsuit argues that Boeing and Honeywell had long been aware of the potential hazard. It cites a 2018 advisory by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which recommended—but did not require – airlines to inspect the switches’ locking mechanisms to prevent accidental movement.
The families claim this advisory was inadequate and accuse both companies of failing to warn airlines or provide replacement parts to fix the problem.
“And what did Honeywell and Boeing do to prevent the inevitable catastrophe? Nothing,” the lawsuit states.
While Boeing has not commented on the lawsuit, it referred to the AAIB’s ongoing investigation. Honeywell has not yet responded publicly. The FAA has previously said the fuel switches used in Boeing aircraft are safe.
The families are represented by the Lanier Law Firm, based in Texas. They allege that Boeing and Honeywell “sat idly” while continuing to market the Dreamliner and its components despite knowing of the potential danger.
The crash killed 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground, making it one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years. A full and detailed investigation report is expected to be released in 2026.
