Critical Safety Checks Ordered for Boeing 787 and 737 After Tragic Air India Crash

Safety Inspections Initiated Following Air India Incident

In a significant move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated airlines to conduct thorough inspections of the fuel switch locking systems in their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. This directive comes in the wake of a preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which revealed that fuel switches were deactivated prior to the tragic Air India crash that resulted in the loss of 260 lives last month.

Currently, over 150 Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft are in operation across various Indian airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and IndiGo.

IndiGo's fleet includes seven B737 Max 8 and one B787-9, all of which are leased and not registered in India.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously raised concerns in 2018 regarding the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on specific Boeing models, including the 787 and 737. Although this was noted in a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), it did not lead to an airworthiness directive, suggesting that it was not deemed a safety issue.

The DGCA has observed that several airlines, both domestically and internationally, have begun inspecting their fleets in accordance with the FAA's SAIB.

The DGCA's order stated, "All airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection no later than July 21, 2025. An inspection plan and report must be submitted to this office, with a copy to the relevant Regional Office."

Fuel control switches are crucial as they manage the fuel flow to the aircraft engines. The AAIB's preliminary report on the Boeing 787-8 crash indicated that the fuel supply to both engines was interrupted within a second, leading to confusion in the cockpit shortly after takeoff.

The cockpit voice recording revealed a conversation between the pilots, with one questioning why the fuel was cut off, to which the other replied that he had not done so.

While the AAIB referenced the FAA's SAIB in its report, it did not recommend any specific actions.

Air India Group has proactively begun inspections of the fuel switch locking systems in their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. Sources indicate that inspections of over half of Air India's Boeing 787s have been completed, with checks on the Boeing 737s nearing completion.

Tata-owned Air India operates a total of 33 wide-body Boeing 787s, while Air India Express has approximately 75 narrow-body 737s. This voluntary inspection initiative was taken as a precautionary measure.

Both Akasa Air and SpiceJet also operate Boeing 737s. Although IndiGo has Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft, they are leased from foreign carriers, thus exempt from the DGCA's directive.

In response to the AAIB report, several airlines worldwide, including Etihad Airways, have begun inspecting the fuel switch locking systems in their Boeing 787s.

The Air India flight AI 171, which was a Boeing 787-8 en route to London Gatwick, tragically crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, resulting in 260 fatalities.