India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has directed all domestic airlines operating Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft to conduct immediate inspections of their fuel control switch locking mechanisms. The order, to be completed by July 21, follows the preliminary findings into the June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI 171, which reported unexplained engine shutdowns after takeoff from Delhi.
According to the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), both engines of the Boeing 787 lost power shortly after the aircraft took off. The report revealed that the fuel control switches for both engines had moved from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position, cutting fuel supply mid-flight. The cockpit voice recording captured a pilot asking, “Why did he cut off?” to which the other responded, “I did not do so.” The investigation did not find any fault with the engines, fuel quality, or maintenance practices.
While no formal airworthiness directive has been issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a notice was released on July 11, stating that the issue does not currently pose an unsafe condition. Boeing has supported the FAA’s statement, asserting that the fuel switch locking mechanism is not defective. However, the 2018 FAA bulletin had previously advised operators to inspect the locks on various Boeing models, including the 787.
Several countries and airlines have taken precautionary measures. Etihad Airways has instructed engineering teams to check the switch-lock integrity and alert pilots. Singapore Airlines and its budget subsidiary Scoot also began voluntary inspections. Japanese airlines have confirmed they have followed previous FAA guidance and found no faults. Air India has already inspected nearly all its 737 aircraft and about half of its 787 fleet with no issues reported so far.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is preparing a similar directive for its local carriers operating Boeing aircraft.
The incident has sparked debate over whether human error, mechanical failure, or a combination of both caused the fatal fuel cutoff. While some speculate that a pilot may have deliberately flipped the switches, Indian pilot unions have criticized such claims as premature and unsupported by evidence. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson also urged restraint, stressing that the final report has yet to be released and reaffirmed that no maintenance problems were found.
The AAIB’s full investigation is expected to take up to a year. Meanwhile, global aviation authorities are watching closely, and airline operators are reinforcing cockpit protocols to prevent accidental switch movements. The focus now shifts to design reviews, regulatory coordination, and deeper analysis of cockpit voice and flight data recorder information.