Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Air India on Tuesday confirmed that it has completed a thorough inspection of the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanism in its Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline stated that no faults or anomalies were found during the inspection.
Inspection launched after Ahmedabad crash
The investigation was triggered by the June 12 Ahmedabad crash, where a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a building shortly after takeoff, resulting in the death of 260 people. Though the final cause is still under review, preliminary findings suggested that fuel switches moved to ‘CUT OFF’ mode just one second after takeoff, leading to fuel supply failure and subsequent engine shutdown.
DGCA was informed, safety reaffirmed
Air India stated that the internal inspection began even before the DGCA’s official directive on July 12 and was completed within the designated timeline. The results have been communicated to the aviation regulator.
An Air India spokesperson reiterated that no issues were found with the locking mechanism in either aircraft type. “Air India remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of its passengers and crew,” the spokesperson added.
DGCA orders wider checks
Following the accident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed a nationwide inspection of fuel control systems across all Boeing aircraft operating in India. This was in response to concerns raised by the preliminary crash investigation, though it remains unclear how or why the fuel switches shifted mid-flight.
