India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered the country’s airlines to inspect fuel control switches in Boeing aeroplanes following their reported involvement in a fatal Air India crash that killed 260 people in June. The DGCA said the order follows Indian and international airlines already starting to carry out their own checks.
The safety of the switches has become a key point of concern after a preliminary report on the disaster found fuel to the engines of the plane involved cut off moments after take-off. The disaster involving London-bound Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was one of the worst aviation incidents globally in almost a decade. The DGCA has asked for checks to be carried out by 21 July, noting that “strict adherence to the timeline is essential to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of operations.”
The checks being requested are in line with a 2018 advisory by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US’s aviation authority, which was referenced in the preliminary report. The 2018 advisory urged – but did not mandate – operators of Boeing models to inspect the locking feature of the fuel cut-off switches to ensure they could not be moved by accident. Air India had not carried out those inspections because they were not mandatory, the AAIB said in its preliminary investigation.
In response to the report, the FAA said the 2018 advisory was “based on reports that the fuel control switches were installed with the locking feature disengaged” – but added that it does not believe this makes the planes unsafe. Boeing also stated that the fuel switches are safe. However, the DGCA has ordered airlines to carry out the checks and report back.
A group representing Indian airline pilots defended the flight’s crew, saying staff on board had “acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions and the pilots shouldn’t be vilified based on conjecture.” The preliminary report, published by the India Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) on Saturday, said the switches on Flight 171 controlling fuel flow to the jet’s engines had been moved from “run” to the “cut-off” position, hampering the thrust of the plane.
The report states its role is “not to apportion blame or liability.” South Korea is also reportedly waiting to order all airlines in the country which operate Boeing jets to examine fuel switches. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and the findings will be crucial in determining the cause of the accident and preventing similar incidents in the future.
The aviation industry is taking a cautious approach, with airlines and regulators working together to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The DGCA’s order is a proactive measure to prevent any potential safety risks, and airlines are expected to comply with the directive.
As the investigation continues, families of the victims are still seeking answers and closure. The preliminary report has provided some insight into the possible cause of the crash, but more information is needed to determine the full extent of what happened. The aviation industry will be watching closely as the investigation unfolds, and any findings will be crucial in shaping future safety protocols.
In the meantime, airlines are taking steps to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew. The checks ordered by the DGCA will help to identify any potential issues with the fuel control switches, and airlines will be working to rectify any problems found. The safety of air travel is paramount, and the aviation industry is committed to doing everything possible to prevent accidents like the one involving Air India Flight 171.
The incident highlights the importance of rigorous safety protocols and regular maintenance checks. The aviation industry is constantly evolving, and safety measures are being improved all the time. However, accidents can still happen, and it is crucial that airlines and regulators work together to identify the causes and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The investigation into the Air India crash will continue, and the findings will be crucial in determining the cause of the accident and preventing similar incidents in the future. The aviation industry will be watching closely as the investigation unfolds, and any findings will be crucial in shaping future safety protocols.