Inspection Finds No Issues In Fuel Switch Systems Of Boeing Fleet: Air India
Air India completed precautionary inspections on the Fuel Control Switch locking mechanism for all Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft, finding no issues.
Complying with the aviation watchdog's directions, Air India has completed precautionary inspections on the locking mechanism of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) on all Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet.
During the inspection, no issues were found with the locking mechanism, the airline said.
Boeing 737 aircraft are part of the fleet of Air India Express, Air India's low-cost subsidiary. Air India had started voluntary inspections on July 12 and completed them within the prescribed time limit set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Earlier this month, the DGCA ordered an inspection of the fuel control switch systems of Boeing and other aircraft operating in the country, after a 15-page preliminary report on the Air India plane crash, revealed that the switches supplying fuel to the aircraft's engines were turned off within a span of one second after take-off—one of the key factors behind the tragedy.
On June 12, the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner began to lose thrust almost immediately after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport and ploughed into a medical college hostel, killing all but one of the 242 onboard and another 19 on ground in the deadliest aviation accident in a decade.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary probe report on the fatal Air India plane accident has put the spotlight on the fuel switches of the crashed Boeing 787-8 and the confusion among the two pilots over the switches being cut off.
Fuel switches regulate the flow of fuel into an aircraft's engines. The switch has two positions — 'RUN' and 'CUT OFF' — and are used to start or shut down engines.
The DGCA's order, dated July 14, referred to a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) of the US aviation regulator dated December 17, 2018, 'regarding the potential for disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature" on several Boeing planes.
The safety bulletin, originally released by the FAA in December 2018, raised concerns that the fuel switch locking system could potentially disengage mid-flight, which could affect flight safety. In response, the DGCA has now asked all operators in India flying affected Boeing aircraft to inspect and fix the issue if needed.
view comments
First Published:
July 22, 2025, 13:34 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
11 deaths in 3 years: Why Pachgaon Chowk is one of Gurgaon most dangerous spots
Gurgaon: Traffic cops have identified 23 conflict points at Pachgaon Chowk, one of the city's most notorious blackspots that has witnessed 11 fatalities and 12 injuries in 19 accidents between 2021 and 2024. The traffic engineering centre has highlighted how the junction's complex layout, combining high-speed highway traffic with slow-moving local vehicles, creates a deadly mix. The most recent tragedy occurred on June 21, when a Delhi Police head constable died and five others were injured after a Rajasthan Roadways bus overturned while trying to avoid crashing into a car. The report, prepared under DCP (traffic) Rajesh Mohan's supervision, identifies the junction as particularly hazardous because of its location at the median gap of NH-8 and its intersection with the Western Peripheral Expressway. The area's mixed land use, with Panchgaon village on one side and undeveloped land on the other, further complicates traffic movement. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The study reveals 11 crossing conflicts, seven diverging conflicts, and five merging conflicts at the junction. Trucks, the report says, are a major cause of collisions at this location, involved in six of 9 fatal accidents in these three years. They often make U-turns towards Delhi and Ajmer to avoid a cloverleaf, using the median gap to save 1.2km and increasing the risk of collision with straight-moving traffic. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your IQ Is 140 If You Can Answer 10 of These Questions Correctly. IQ International Undo Buses also lack an alternative entry to the village, frequently using the median gap. Bus stopping to pick up and drop passengers on the main carriageway also pose considerable risks, who are forced to cross the road against high-speed traffic. Another major concern is wrong-side movement of two-wheelers, accounting for 37% of traffic violations. Traffic from Pachgaon village and the Delhi side often moves against the flow, particularly towards Pukharpur. An underutilised underpass for pedestrians and two-wheelers, located 200 metres from the median gap, is often avoided because of its poor maintenance and difficult access. The report notes that 82% of Delhi-bound traffic moves straight, while 11% attempts U-turns, creating dangerous situations. The report proposes limiting the U-turns of trucks at the median gap by installing a 4-metre height barrier. It also advises extending the median on the service road by about 20 metres to minimise complicated manoeuvres. The report calls for shifting bus stops on both sides of the road about 70 metres towards Delhi, reducing pedestrians' walking distance to the underpass. To improve connectivity, the report recommends building a new road linking Pukharpur Road with a service lane near the underpass and constructing footpaths for pedestrians. The report emphasises that immediate action is crucial, as the junction continues to pose a severe risk to both highway users and local commuters. Officials said they would strictly impose challans against buses halting at wrong spots and vehicles making illegal U-turns.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
Statsguru: Rising engine-failure incidents cast a shadow on Indian skies
The common issues identified include failures in the High-Pressure Turbine and Gear Turbo Engine systems Jayant Pankaj Listen to This Article On July 16, an IndiGo flight was forced to make an emergency landing at the Mumbai airport following a reported engine failure. Two more similar incidents involving IndiGo took place within the same week. In the wake of the Boeing AI 171 crash, concerns over aircraft safety have intensified. However, these are not isolated cases. Flight cancellations in India, particularly those caused by technical glitches, have risen in the past four years to peak in 2023, with engine failures being a major contributing factor. IndiGo, which operates the largest fleet among Indian carriers — including SpiceJet, Air India, and others
Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Deccan Herald
DGCA took punitive action against AI Express for non-compliance with airworthiness directive: Mohol
During a surveillance inspection of Air India Express by DGCA, it was found that the airline had not complied with the EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) Airworthiness Directive on the engines installed on the Airbus A320 aircraft.
