UK regulator flagged Boeing fuel switches four weeks before Air India crash
A fuel shut-off valve is a safety device that stops the flow of fuel to the engine, typically used for maintenance, in case of an engine fire, or during forced landings. It is a key component that helps prevent fuel leaks and ensures the safe operation of the aircraft. The UK regulator directed airline operators to test, inspect, or replace fuel shutoff valve actuators on Boeing 787s, among others.Moreover, the safety notice specifically ordered that daily checks of the fuel shutoff valves be carried out on aircraft impacted by the AD.The matter came to the fore after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India noted in its preliminary report on the Air India crash that fuel control switches, which regulate the flow of fuel to each engine, unexpectedly moved to 'CUTOFF' shortly after liftoff, which caused both engines to shut down.The FAA, in a notification issued on July 11, stated the fuel control switch design does not pose any safety risks, and Boeing echoed that view in guidance to global airlines. However, the UK CAA's directive in May mandated urgent operator-level action, with checks required and compliance to be documented.According to reports, Air India replaced the Throttle Control Module (TCM), which houses the fuel control switches, on the crashed Dreamliner in 2019 and 2023, in line with Boeing's standard maintenance schedule.However, the AAIB preliminary report found that Air India didn't inspect the locking mechanism of the fuel cutoff switches, as recommended by a 2018 FAA advisory. The airline maintains that as the advisory wasn't mandatory, it did not carry out the inspections.Meanwhile, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in an internal communication that the initial findings of the probe "identified no cause nor made any recommendations", and urged against drawing premature conclusions about who is at fault for the deadly crash.- Ends
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