Latest news with #SpecialAirworthinessInformationBulletin
New Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
DGCA asks all airlines to complete Boeing fuel control switches inspection within one week
NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked all airlines with Boeing aircraft in their fleet to complete inspections of their fuel control switches by July 17. The directive follows a preliminary probe report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau on Saturday. The directive cited a December 2018 order by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warning of the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on Boeing planes. The order by DGCA states the FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) number: NM-18-33 dated 17 December 2018, regarding the potential for disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes, Model 737-700, -7000, -800, and -900ER series airplanes, Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes, Model 747-400, -400D, -400F, -8, and -BF series airplanes; Model 757-200, -200CB, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes, Model 767-200, -300, -300F, -400ER, and -20 series airplanes; Model 787-8, -9, and -10 airplanes, Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, and Model MD-90-30 airplanes.
Mint
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Mint
DGCA orders airlines to carry out inspection on Boeing aircraft
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered air carriers to conduct inspection of certain Boeing models. As per the US's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) 2018, related to the fuel control switch, Indian airlines have been asked to inspect aircraft by 21 July. FAA's SAIB NM-18-33 issued in December 2018 regarding potential for disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature affects around 26 different Boeing models. Around 100 aircraft of Air India, Air India Express and SpiceJet will have to be inspected. 'It has come to the notice of DGCA that several operators-internationally as well as domestic have initiated inspection on their aircraft fleet as per the SAIB NM-18-33 dated 17th December 2018. In the view of above, all airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection required under SAIB NM-18-33, no later than 21st July 2025,' said DGCA in the order. The SAIB is valid for Model 717-200 airplanes; Model 737-700, -700C, -800 and -900ER series airplanes; Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes; Model 747-400, -400D, -400F, -8 and -8F series airplanes; Model 757-200, -200CB, -200PF and -300 series airplanes; Model 767-200, -300,300F, -400ER and -2C series airplanes; Model 787-8, -9 and -10 airplanes; Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes. Around 33 B787-8 and B787-9 aircraft of Air India, 26 B737-800 aircraft of Air India Express and around 35 737‑700/‑800/‑900ER aircraft are expected to go under inspection as per the DGCA order. So far, UAE's Ethihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and the South Korean regulator have issued directives for the inspection of fuel switches on respective Boeing fleet. DGCA's directives have come two days after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) issued the preliminary report on AI-171 crash on 12 June soon after taking off from Ahmedabad for London, killing 241 on board. The report highlighted total power loss as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off as position of the fuel supply switch was changed from 'run' to 'cutoff' and then to the run position. Amit Singh, chief executive officer (CEO) of Safety Matters and a former pilot, told Mint, 'This order is based on an advisory bulletin issued in 2018, since other airlines have initiated inspection DGCA has issued this circular. However when the prelim report had identified this issue, DGCA should have issued this as a preventive advisory.' On Monday, Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson told Air India employees to avoid drawing premature conclusions as the investigation is far from over. In an internal note accessed by Mint, Wilson highlighted that the preliminary report did not find any issues with engines or the aircraft. 'The Preliminary Report found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft or engines, and that all mandatory maintenance tasks had been completed. There was no issue with the quality of fuel and no abnormality with the take-off roll,' said Wilson. He also added that the pilots had passed their mandatory pre-flight breathalyzer and there were no observations pertaining to their medical status. Further, he told Air India employees that every Boeing 787 aircraft operating in its fleet was checked within days of the accident and all were found fit for service. 'We continue to perform all necessary checks, as we will any new ones that authorities may suggest,' said Wilson The Indian Commerical Pilots Association (ICPA) expressed disappointment on speculation around 'reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide'. 'There is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage and invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible—it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved,' said ICPA in a statement. ICPA further said that until the official investigation is concluded and the final report is published, any speculation especially of such a grave nature is unacceptable and must be condemned. 'The crew of AI-171 acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions. They deserve support—not vilification based on conjecture,' said ICPA.
India.com
2 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Weeks after Ahmedabad Air India crash, DGCA asks airlines to inspect..., Boeing 787, 737 aircraft will now be...
Air India- file image Ahmedabad Air India crash: Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday asked airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 planes, a move that comes days after the preliminary probe report into the Air India's Boeing 787 crash found that the switches were cut off before the accident last month. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), back in 2018, had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on certain models of Boeing aircraft, including 787s and 737s. It was mentioned in a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) but there was no airworthiness directive, indicating that the issue was not a safety concern. On Monday, DGCA said it has come to its notice that several operators, internationally as well as domestic, have initiated inspection of their aircraft fleet as per the FAA's SAIB. '… all airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection… no later than 21st July 2025. Inspection plan and report after accomplishment of inspection shall be submitted to this office under intimation to concerned Regional Office,' the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in an order. Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel into aircraft engines. Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet are among the domestic carriers operating Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. In its preliminary report on the Boeing 787-8 crash released on Saturday, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the fuel supply to both engines of the plane was cut off within a gap of one second, causing confusion in the cockpit soon after take off. 'In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so,' the report said. However, AAIB did not mention any recommended action. Air India flight AI 171, operated with the Boeing 787-8, enroute to London Gatwick crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Air India Ahmedabad plane crash: DGCA asks airlines to check fuel switch locking system in Boeing 737, 787 jets
Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday (July 15, 2025) ordered airlines to inspect the lock on the fuel control switches on Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 planes by July 21, a move that comes days after the preliminary probe report into the Air India's Boeing 787 crash found that the switches were cut off before the accident last month. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), back in 2018, had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on certain models of Boeing aircraft, including 787s and 737s. It was mentioned in a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) but there was no airworthiness directive, indicating that the issue was not a safety concern. 'It has come to the notice of DGCA, that several operators- internationally as well as domestic have initiated inspection on their aircraft fleet as per the SAIB NM-18-33 dated 17th December 2018. In the view of above all airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection required,' the DGCA said in an order. Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel into aircraft engines. A senior official didn't immediately confirm which operators would be impacted. Air India operates Boeing 787 aircraft, and Air India Express and SpiceJet operate Boeing 737 aircraft. Though IndiGo too has Boeing 787 aircraft, but since these are leased from a foreign airline they won't be subjected to this order, one senior DGCA official explained. In its preliminary report on the Boeing 787-8 crash released on Saturday, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the fuel supply to both engines of the plane was cut off within a gap of one second, causing confusion in the cockpit soon after take off. 'In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do the same,' the report said. However, AAIB did not mention any recommended action. Air India flight AI 171, operated with the Boeing 787-8, enroute to London Gatwick crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people. (with PTI inputs)
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
DGCA asks airlines to inspect fuel switch locking system in Boeing 787, 737 aircraft
Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday asked airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 planes, a move that comes days after the preliminary probe report into the Air India's Boeing 787 crash found that the switches were cut off before the accident last month. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), back in 2018, had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on certain models of Boeing aircraft, including 787s and 737s. It was mentioned in a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) but there was no airworthiness directive, indicating that the issue was not a safety concern. On Monday, DGCA said it has come to its notice that several operators, internationally as well as domestic, have initiated inspection of their aircraft fleet as per the FAA's SAIB. '… all airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection… no later than 21st July 2025. Inspection plan and report after accomplishment of inspection shall be submitted to this office under intimation to concerned Regional Office,' the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in an order. Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel into aircraft engines. Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet are among the domestic carriers operating Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. In its preliminary report on the Boeing 787-8 crash released on Saturday, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the fuel supply to both engines of the plane was cut off within a gap of one second, causing confusion in the cockpit soon after take off. 'In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so,' the report said. However, AAIB did not mention any recommended action. Air India flight AI 171, operated with the Boeing 787-8, enroute to London Gatwick crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people.
