In a proactive measure following the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight 171, which resulted in 260 fatalities, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated an inspection of fuel control switches in Boeing aircraft. This directive comes in light of a preliminary investigation revealing that the fuel supply was prematurely cut off, shortly after takeoff. On July 21, airlines must complete these inspections to ensure compliance with safety protocols. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) previously deemed these switches safe, although the 2018 advisory suggested operators should inspect the locking mechanism to prevent accidental displacements. The air safety discussion is further fueled by current scrutiny of airline operations and crew performance, as pilot associations advocate for the cabin crew’s conduct amidst challenging flight conditions.
**India Orders Urgent Inspections of Boeing Fuel Control Switches Following Air India Crash**
**India Orders Urgent Inspections of Boeing Fuel Control Switches Following Air India Crash**
India's aviation authority mandates inspections of fuel control switches after a tragic crash that raised safety concerns for Boeing aircraft.
Air India’s aviation authority has reacted swiftly following a critical safety report on the June tragedy. The DGCA's directive means that airlines must conduct thorough inspections of fuel control switches in their Boeing aircraft by July 21 to maintain airworthiness and operational safety. This requirement follows the American Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) advisory from 2018, which recommended that Boeing aircraft operators check the locking mechanism of these switches. While the FAA asserted that the switches are safe, the precautionary measures are designed to mitigate any potential risks, especially in light of preliminary findings from the accident, where crucial errors led to the plane's fuel supply being cut off.
The tragic incident, which was one of the most severe aviation disasters in the last decade, has propelled discussions about necessary regulatory actions—both domestically and internationally. The preliminary report highlighted that during the flight, the fuel flow switches were inadvertently set to "cut-off," affecting engine thrust. Cockpit recordings indicate confusion among the pilots, with one questioning the switch's status. As investigations continue, the Indian pilots’ association has defended the crew’s actions under the circumstances, calling for due consideration as the inquiry progresses. South Korea is also moving to assess Boeing aircraft fuel switches amid heightened global scrutiny on aviation safety post-incident.
The tragic incident, which was one of the most severe aviation disasters in the last decade, has propelled discussions about necessary regulatory actions—both domestically and internationally. The preliminary report highlighted that during the flight, the fuel flow switches were inadvertently set to "cut-off," affecting engine thrust. Cockpit recordings indicate confusion among the pilots, with one questioning the switch's status. As investigations continue, the Indian pilots’ association has defended the crew’s actions under the circumstances, calling for due consideration as the inquiry progresses. South Korea is also moving to assess Boeing aircraft fuel switches amid heightened global scrutiny on aviation safety post-incident.
