Etihad Urges Boeing 787 Pilots to Check Fuel Control Switches

Quick Summary

• Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad has instructed its pilots to exercise caution while operating the fuel control switches on boeing 787 aircraft.
• The directive also advises against the presence of objects on the pedestal that could cause inadvertent movement of these switches.
• Flight crews are required to report any observed anomalies instantly.
• Etihad issued this measure “out of an abundance of caution” as investigations into a June 12 crash involving Air India’s Boeing 787-8 are ongoing without definitive conclusions at present.
• The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reminded global regulators about a prior advisory (from 2018) concerning fuel control switch disengagement, following India’s release of preliminary findings into the crash.
• Etihad separately ordered inspections across its fleet to ensure proper engagement of the fuel control locking mechanisms, providing engineering teams with step-by-step guidance for checks and replacement if necessary.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Etihad’s proactive measures highlight heightened airline safety procedures following external advisories and ongoing investigations tied to critical incidents like air India’s recent crash.While neither definitive conclusions nor direct causation have been established, such steps emphasize aviation industry’s reliance on precautionary principles in fleet management. For India,where Air India’s investigation has placed focus on Boeing aircraft systems,this may indirectly influence domestic carriers’ operational protocols and align them closer with international standards. Transparent communication among regulatory bodies remains key in addressing concerns related to aviation safety comprehensively.

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