India Orders Inspection of Boeing Jet Fuel Switches After Deadly Crash
The move comes after a preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau revealed that the fuel switches on the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 had moved from the 'run' position to 'cutoff' shortly after takeoff. The report stopped short of blaming anyone but did include a chilling cockpit exchange in which one pilot questioned why the fuel had been cut off — only for the other to deny doing it.
India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued the inspection order on Monday. It applies to Boeing 787s, 737s, and other models that use similar fuel switch mechanisms. Airlines are expected to complete their inspections by July 21.
Although Boeing has told airlines the switches are safe, the DGCA's action aligns with an advisory issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) back in 2018. That bulletin warned that these switches should be checked to ensure they can't be moved accidentally during flight.
'Several domestic and international operators have already begun inspections in accordance with FAA guidance,' the DGCA said in a statement.
The tragic crash occurred on June 12, when an Air India Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London went down shortly after takeoff. The accident killed 241 of the 242 people on board, along with 19 people on the ground.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson urged staff to avoid drawing early conclusions. In a letter to employees, he emphasized that the investigation is still underway and that all findings must be based on facts.
South Korea has also announced plans to order similar checks on Boeing aircraft operated by its airlines.
The crash has triggered global concern, with regulators taking swift action to ensure safety measures are thoroughly enforced.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
13 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Gulf Air Orders 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners With Options For Six Additional Aircraft
Boeing and Gulf Air have announced an agreement for the purchase of 12 787 Dreamliner jets with options for six more as the Bahrain-based airline seeks to develop its international network further. The order will bring the carrier's firm order book to 14 of the widebody jets and will support 30,000 jobs across the United States once finalised. Bahrain Minister of Finance and National Economy Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope and Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi to witness the signing. The flag carrier of Bahrain will grow its all-787 widebody fleet, adding up to 18 787 Dreamliners to its widebody fleet. 'This agreement marks a transformative step in Gulf Air's strategic growth journey as we expand our global footprint and modernize our fleet with one of the industry's most advanced and efficient aircraft,' Khalid Taqi, chairman of Gulf Air Group said in a statement. 'The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has proven to be an exceptional aircraft for our long-haul operations, and this new order reflects our confidence in its performance, passenger appeal and contribution to our sustainability goals. We are proud to deepen our partnership with Boeing and reaffirm our commitment to positioning Bahrain as a key global aviation hub,' he added. The 787 Dreamliner serves as the backbone of Gulf Air's long-haul operations, connecting over 50 destinations. With 10 787 airplanes in service, the airline is positioned to grow its network, serving new and existing markets across Asia, Europe and the United States. 'We are excited to build on our more than 60-year partnership with Gulf Air as we deliver the market-leading 787 Dreamliner to help the airline serve more passengers and connect more destinations,' Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes explained, adding that this investment in the 787 Dreamliner 'demonstrates Gulf Air's commitment to new technology and sustainable development, reinforcing Bahrain's position in the aviation sector.' The 787 Dreamliner family has transformed global air travel by opening over 425 new nonstop routes and carrying more than 1 billion passengers worldwide since its commercial introduction in 2011. As Gulf Air's flagship airplane, the 787 features the largest windows of any widebody jet, air that is less dry and pressurised at a lower cabin altitude for comfort, and technology that senses and counters turbulence for a smoother ride. From its first DC-3 in 1961, Gulf Air has taken delivery of 37 Boeing airplanes, including the 787 jets currently in its fleet. Boeing is a leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter. The company develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defence products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
The clear proof of strong friendship
Member of Parliament Hassan Ibrahim has welcomed the suite of major agreements signed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, during his official visit to the United States. He described the deals — valued at an estimated $17 billion — as a clear proof of the strong friendship binding Bahrain and the U.S. 'These agreements move the Bahrain–US partnership into a new phase,' said Mr Ibrahim. He added: 'They show how determined the leadership is to draw in investment, open up job opportunities and build national skills for the good of everyday Bahrainis.' Among the standout agreements is a major aviation deal that will see Gulf Air acquire new aircraft and engines from Boeing and General Electric. In parallel, Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat has committed up to $2 billion to support industrial projects in the U.S., particularly in aluminium-linked manufacturing. Bahrain's digital ambitions also took a leap forward with plans to build a strategic undersea cable linking the Kingdom with neighbouring Gulf states. Meanwhile, the signing of a civil nuclear cooperation accord — known as the 123 Agreement — paves the way for Bahrain to explore peaceful atomic energy as part of its long-term net-zero strategy. The Kingdom also entered into new partnerships with American tech giants Oracle and Cisco to accelerate its digital transformation and advance capabilities in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Mr Ibrahim extending his best wishes for Bahrain's continued progress and prosperity under the guidance of its leadership.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
India's Reliance profits surge on one-time gain, strong consumer show
Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries reported a jump in June quarter profits yesterday, helped by a large one-off gain and strong growth in its consumer-facing divisions. Led by Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani, Reliance is India's most valuable company by market cap and has aggressively expanded into retail, telecoms and green energy in recent years. Net profit attributable to owners of the company came in at 269.9 billion rupees ($3.13 billion) for the April-June quarter, a 78.3% jump from the 151.3 billion rupees reported in the same period last year. These figures were boosted by a one-off gain from Reliance selling its stake in India's top paint maker Asian Paints, with the company's earnings report acknowledging a nearly 280% on-year rise in other income. But the company's bottom line still surpassed the average analyst estimate of 200.59 billion rupees, a performance aided by the conglomerate's retail and telecom units. Revenue from operations for Reliance meanwhile came in at 2.48 trillion rupees, a 5.27% year-on-year increase. Despite an aggressive expansion into retail, telecoms and green energy, the firm still relies heavily on its traditional oil business to make money. Its core oil-to-chemicals division struggled for most of 2024 as global uncertainty upset the industry's supply-demand dynamics, with the division continuing to battle lingering weakness. Chairman Ambani acknowledged in a statement that energy markets encountered 'heightened uncertainty' during the quarter. The conglomerate's earnings report noted that revenue for the oil-to-chemicals division was down due to 'a fall in crude oil prices' and a planned shutdown. Reliance's retail and telecom arms, however, remained bright spots. Gross revenue from its retail business was up 11.3% to 841.7 billion rupees despite the early onset of monsoon rains which hurt sales of air-conditioners. Meanwhile, the telecom unit's average revenue per user, a key metric of topline growth, rose nearly 15% yearon-year to hit 208.8 rupees on the back of strong data consumption and tariff hikes. Reliance Industries shares closed flat in Mumbai ahead of the earnings announcement on Friday.
