**The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated inspections of fuel control switches in Boeing aircraft after a deadly crash raised safety concerns, despite assurances from Boeing and the FAA.**
**India Mandates Safety Checks on Boeing Aircraft Fuel Control Switches**
**India Mandates Safety Checks on Boeing Aircraft Fuel Control Switches**
**Regulatory action follows tragic Air India crash that claimed 260 lives**
In the wake of June's tragic Air India disaster that resulted in the death of 260 passengers, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a directive for all domestic airlines to inspect the fuel control switches in their Boeing aircraft. This precautionary measure comes amidst international scrutiny and highlights the ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety.
The initial investigation into the crash of Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, revealed that the aircraft’s engines experienced a sudden cutoff of fuel shortly after takeoff. The subsequent preliminary report indicated that this malfunction severely impaired the airplane’s thrust capabilities. Although the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later reassured that the fuel control switches in Boeing models are safe, the DGCA is requiring inspections to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards.
Airlines are expected to complete these checks by July 21, emphasizing the urgent need to guarantee the airworthiness of their fleets. This directive is in line with the FAA's 2018 advisory, which recommended operators inspect the locking mechanisms of fuel cut-off switches, but did not make these checks mandatory. Consequently, prior to the crash, Air India had not performed the inspections, a detail highlighted in the preliminary findings from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).
The FAA noted that the initial advisory was prompted by concerns over the locking feature of the switches being disengaged, yet they maintain that it does not fundamentally compromise aircraft safety. In contrast, representatives from the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association have come forward defending the flight crew against speculative criticism, asserting that they operated the aircraft in accordance with their training amidst challenging circumstances.
In light of the crash investigation, additional reports have surfaced, indicating that other countries, including South Korea, are contemplating similar safety measures for their own Boeing aircraft fleets. As investigations continue, the situation underlines the critical importance of aviation safety protocols in preventing future tragedies.
The initial investigation into the crash of Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, revealed that the aircraft’s engines experienced a sudden cutoff of fuel shortly after takeoff. The subsequent preliminary report indicated that this malfunction severely impaired the airplane’s thrust capabilities. Although the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later reassured that the fuel control switches in Boeing models are safe, the DGCA is requiring inspections to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards.
Airlines are expected to complete these checks by July 21, emphasizing the urgent need to guarantee the airworthiness of their fleets. This directive is in line with the FAA's 2018 advisory, which recommended operators inspect the locking mechanisms of fuel cut-off switches, but did not make these checks mandatory. Consequently, prior to the crash, Air India had not performed the inspections, a detail highlighted in the preliminary findings from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).
The FAA noted that the initial advisory was prompted by concerns over the locking feature of the switches being disengaged, yet they maintain that it does not fundamentally compromise aircraft safety. In contrast, representatives from the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association have come forward defending the flight crew against speculative criticism, asserting that they operated the aircraft in accordance with their training amidst challenging circumstances.
In light of the crash investigation, additional reports have surfaced, indicating that other countries, including South Korea, are contemplating similar safety measures for their own Boeing aircraft fleets. As investigations continue, the situation underlines the critical importance of aviation safety protocols in preventing future tragedies.
