India Orders Inspection of Boeing Jet Fuel Switches After Deadly Crash

TDT | Manama

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Indian aviation authorities have directed airlines to inspect fuel control switches on several Boeing aircraft models, following a tragic Air India crash last month that claimed 260 lives.

The move comes after a preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau revealed that the fuel switches on the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 had moved from the “run” position to “cutoff” shortly after takeoff. The report stopped short of blaming anyone but did include a chilling cockpit exchange in which one pilot questioned why the fuel had been cut off — only for the other to deny doing it.

India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued the inspection order on Monday. It applies to Boeing 787s, 737s, and other models that use similar fuel switch mechanisms. Airlines are expected to complete their inspections by July 21.

Although Boeing has told airlines the switches are safe, the DGCA’s action aligns with an advisory issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) back in 2018. That bulletin warned that these switches should be checked to ensure they can’t be moved accidentally during flight.

“Several domestic and international operators have already begun inspections in accordance with FAA guidance,” the DGCA said in a statement.

The tragic crash occurred on June 12, when an Air India Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London went down shortly after takeoff. The accident killed 241 of the 242 people on board, along with 19 people on the ground.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson urged staff to avoid drawing early conclusions. In a letter to employees, he emphasized that the investigation is still underway and that all findings must be based on facts.

South Korea has also announced plans to order similar checks on Boeing aircraft operated by its airlines.

The crash has triggered global concern, with regulators taking swift action to ensure safety measures are thoroughly enforced.