New Delhi: In the aftermath of a tragic Air India crash last month, the airline has confirmed that inspections of its Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft revealed no faults in the fuel control switch mechanisms. This announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny by aviation regulators and investigators following the June 12 disaster in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of 260 passengers and crew.
According to a statement from Air India, a detailed review of the locking systems on the fuel control switches was carried out voluntarily across its fleet beginning July 12. The initiative followed a preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which revealed that both engines on the ill-fated 787 Dreamliner shut down seconds after takeoff due to the switches shifting from the "run" to "cutoff" position effectively cutting off fuel supply mid-air.
The AAIB’s initial findings, which have not yet assigned responsibility, raised alarms about the possibility of either mechanical failure or accidental human intervention. The cockpit voice recorder captured a brief but critical exchange, with one pilot exclaiming, “Why did you cut off?” a statement followed by an immediate denial from the co-pilot.
In response, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated all domestic airlines to conduct urgent inspections of Boeing 787s and certain models of 737s. While some foreign carriers also joined in on a voluntary basis, Air India not only carried out checks but also replaced the Throttle Control Modules on its 787-8 aircraft as a precautionary measure.
“No abnormalities or defects were detected during the inspections,” Air India stated, emphasizing the airline's commitment to safety and adherence to Boeing's maintenance protocol. The American aerospace giant had previously issued service bulletins highlighting potential risks of unintentional switch movements, prompting similar advisories from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration as early as 2018.
Globally, airlines including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and carriers in South Korea reported similar inspections with no reported malfunctions. Boeing has continued to maintain that its fuel switch designs are robust and safe, though the company has pledged full cooperation with investigators.
The incident has reignited broader concerns over aviation safety infrastructure, particularly as climate, mechanical wear, and pilot stress become increasingly interconnected in high-risk scenarios. The AAIB is expected to release a comprehensive report within a year, which will likely determine the root cause of the switch movement whether due to technical, procedural, or human factors.
For now, Air India’s reassurance offers some relief to travelers and industry observers alike, though the shadow of the Ahmedabad crash continues to hover over India’s aviation sector.