New Delhi: Air India has completed precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch locking mechanisms on its Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft, reporting no issues with the systems. The checks were carried out in response to a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following a deadly crash earlier this year.
The inspections, which began voluntarily on July 12, were finalized within the timeline specified by the aviation regulator. Air India and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, confirmed full compliance with the DGCA’s instructions.
“No issues were found with the said locking mechanism during the inspections,” Air India said in a statement, adding that the results have been officially communicated to the DGCA.
The directive from the DGCA came after a preliminary investigation into the June 12 crash of a London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which killed 260 people, including 19 on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that the aircraft lost engine thrust moments after take-off from Ahmedabad, with both fuel control switches reportedly being turned off within seconds — a key factor in the tragedy.
The fuel control switch is a critical cockpit component that manages fuel supply to aircraft engines. Positioned either in ‘RUN’ or ‘CUT OFF’ modes, the switches must be used carefully during take-off and engine shutdown procedures. In the June accident, pilot confusion over the switches likely contributed to the fatal incident.
In light of the findings, the DGCA issued a directive on July 14, referencing a 2018 safety bulletin from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The bulletin highlighted the potential for the locking feature of the fuel control switch to become disengaged mid-flight on certain Boeing models, raising safety concerns.
Following this, the DGCA instructed all Indian carriers operating Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft to conduct immediate inspections and fix any discrepancies found. Air India confirmed that its entire fleet of affected aircraft, including those operated by Air India Express, underwent thorough checks with no defects detected.
The airline emphasized that the move demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards amid growing regulatory oversight and passenger safety expectations.
