India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated a thorough examination of fuel switch locks across various Boeing aircraft models, including the widely used 787 Dreamliner and 737 series. This proactive measure follows a tragic incident involving an Air India jet that occurred on June 12, which resulted in the loss of approximately 260 lives, marking it as one of the most catastrophic aviation disasters in Indian history.
Though Boeing and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have previously assured that the fuel switch locks on their jets are secure, the recent crash prompted India, along with other nations, to take precautionary steps. The DGCA’s directive highlights the importance of safety in civil aviation, reinforcing a commitment to passenger welfare and aviation standards.
The initial investigatory report into the Air India incident did not assign blame but suggested there was a communication breakdown between the flight crew regarding fuel management. Specifically, one pilot queried why fuel had been cut off, to which the other pilot claimed no such action had been taken.
The FAA had issued a non-mandatory advisory in 2018 recommending inspections of the locking mechanisms in the fuel cutoff switches on several Boeing aircraft, including the 787 series. However, this was not universally applied, as the advisory did not require operators to comply. It is noteworthy that the aircraft involved in the recent incident had its throttle control module, which incorporates the fuel switches, replaced in 2019 and 2023, according to the maintenance records presented to investigators.
Responding to the situation, Air India has begun inspections of its 787 and 737 fleets to ensure that the fuel switch locks are functioning as intended. So far, inspections of approximately half of the airline’s 787s and a vast majority of the 737s have been completed, with no issues detected as of Monday, according to a source close to the airline. Completion of these checks is expected within the next few days.
Other international carriers are also undertaking precautionary measures. Notably, Qantas Airways in Australia and ANA in Japan have already conducted checks following the 2018 advisory. Furthermore, Singapore Airlines confirmed that its investigations revealed all components were operational. Korean Air Lines is proactively inspecting its fuel control switches and will adhere to any new directives from authorities.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the incident was on a route from Ahmedabad to London when the tragedy occurred, resulting in the unfortunate loss of all passengers and crew, in addition to 19 fatalities on the ground. The aviation community continues to prioritize safety and compliance in the wake of this disaster, emphasizing the need for stringent measures to enhance operational integrity.
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