Air India Completes Fuel Switch Checks on Boeing Fleet After Crash Probe
Air India has completed precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch locking mechanisms on all its Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft, with no issues found, the airline confirmed on Tuesday. The move comes in the wake of an ongoing investigation into a deadly crash involving a Boeing 787, which killed 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground. The final report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected within a year.
The inspections were initiated voluntarily by Air India on July 12, following preliminary findings that the fuel control switches had shifted from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’ shortly after takeoff, leading to engine failure. These switches regulate the fuel supply to aircraft engines and are crucial during both routine and emergency operations. Following Air India’s lead, India’s aviation regulator mandated similar checks across domestic airlines, prompting international carriers and regulators to follow suit.
The AAIB’s preliminary report referenced a 2018 FAA advisory that had warned operators to inspect the locking mechanisms on fuel cutoff switches across various Boeing models, including the 787. Although the FAA and Boeing have since stated that the fuel switch locks are safe, a cockpit recording reportedly suggested the captain may have manually cut off the engines. The AAIB has stressed that it is too early to confirm any conclusions as the investigation continues.
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