DGCA Orders Fuel System Checks for Boeing 737, 787 After Air India Ahmedabad Incident

Swift Summary:

• The DGCA has mandated airlines to inspect fuel control switch locks on Boeing 787 adn 737 aircraft by July 21.
• This follows a preliminary report on the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad last month, where the fuel switches were found to be disengaged before the accident.
• The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reported that both engines’ fuel supply was cut off within one second post-takeoff, leading to cockpit confusion. Pilot conversation confirmed unintended actions involving the switches.
• Previous FAA advisories in 2018 flagged potential issues with these switches but did not deem them critical for airworthiness directives.
• Affected operators include Air India (boeing 787), SpiceJet, and Air India Express (Boeing 737). IndiGo’s leased fleet is exempt from this inspection order.
• The June 12 crash of Air India flight AI171 en route to London Gatwick resulted in the loss of all onboard-260 fatalities.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The DGCA’s directive underscores an urgent need for proactive safety inspections in India’s aviation sector.While prior FAA bulletins raised awareness about compromised fuel control switch mechanisms years ago, their omission as a mandatory safety directive highlights gaps that could potentially exacerbate risk factors over time. India’s aviation authorities now face pressure to enhance oversight and ensure compliance without delay across multiple domestic carriers.

Given global implications of such mechanical vulnerabilities across Boeing aircraft fleets, this situation also strengthens calls for international collaboration on predictive safety measures.The tragic severity of the Ahmedabad crash further emphasizes the importance of investigating how operational errors intersect with technical lapses during critical flight moments. Airlines operating within India must prioritize transparency while implementing corrective measures swiftly.

Read more: Air India’s Crash Probe Leads Safety Orders from DGCA