Core Viewpoint - Boeing Co. and Honeywell International Inc. are facing legal action from families of victims of the Air India Flight 171 crash, alleging product defect and negligence related to a faulty fuel cutoff switch that contributed to the disaster [1][5]. Group 1: Legal Challenges - Families of four victims have filed a lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court, claiming that a defective fuel cutoff switch caused the crash that resulted in 242 fatalities on board and 19 on the ground [1]. - The lawsuit indicates that the pilot inadvertently shut off fuel to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner's engines shortly after takeoff, leading to a complete loss of thrust [2]. Group 2: Product Defect Claims - The lawsuit asserts that the fuel cutoff switch, manufactured by Honeywell and installed by Boeing, was designed with a locking mechanism to prevent accidental operation, but its location near thrust levers posed a risk [3]. - It is claimed that both companies were aware that the locking mechanism could be easily disengaged or missing, as supported by a 2018 FAA report [4]. Group 3: Company Accountability - The lawsuit alleges that there is no evidence that Boeing or Honeywell informed Air India or other customers about the potential danger or provided replacement switches [5]. - A comparison was made to an auto manufacturer placing an unprotected emergency brake control next to a radio volume knob, emphasizing the severity of the defect [6]. Group 4: Incident Details - The lawsuit details that both fuel cutoff switches on Flight 171 moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" just three seconds after liftoff, severing the fuel supply [6]. - A cockpit voice recorder captured the pilots' exchange, confirming that neither intended to shut off the fuel, and their attempts to restore power were unsuccessful before the crash [7].