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.
