Air India Confirms Boeing Fleet Fuel System Inspection, Reports No Issues

Fast Summary

• Air India completed precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanism on its Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft fleet; no issues were found.
• The inspections were conducted following a DGCA directive issued after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report on a fatal crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
• The crash occurred shortly after takeoff, killing 241 passengers and another 19 people on the ground. AAIB’s report revealed the fuel supply to both engines was cut off within one second, leading to cockpit confusion.
• FAA had previously flagged potential disengagement of FCS locking features in boeing planes through an advisory bulletin in 2018 but did not declare it a safety issue.
• DGCA mandated fuel switch system checks for all airlines operating Boeing 787s and 737s by July 21. Air India complied ahead of schedule with voluntary inspections starting July 12.
• Domestic carriers IndiGo, spicejet, Akasa Air, along with Tata Group airlines AI and AIX operate over 150 Boeing planes collectively. Some leased planes are exempt from these inspections due to foreign registration.

indian Opinion Analysis

The precautionary measures taken by Air india reflect responsible aviation practices in light of a devastating accident that exposed technical vulnerabilities around fuel control switches. While no issues were identified during recent inspections across fleets operated by Indian carriers like IndiGo or SpiceJet, systemic diligence remains essential given FAA’s earlier warning regarding similar models.

The tragedy highlights operational complexities associated with leased aircraft not being subject to Indian safety directives-a gap perhaps warranting review as India’s airline sector increasingly depends on leased fleets for expansion. As investigations deepen into pilot interactions during crises alongside technical evaluations of aircraft features like FCS design reliability, robust policy adaptations could emerge as crucial measures towards preventing future mishaps.Read more: Source Link