In a swift safety move, Air India has completed thorough inspections of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) locking mechanisms on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 fleets, reporting no faults.
The checks were launched voluntarily on July 12 after India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a directive on July 14, following the June 12 crash of a Boeing 787-8 that tragically claimed 260 lives and injured 67 people. The airline met the DGCA's July 21 deadline, aligning with a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on potential switch disengagement risks.
Key points of the inspection process included:
- Scope: All Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 737 aircraft in Air India's fleet
- Timeline: Voluntary start on July 12, completed by DGCA deadline on July 21
- Regulatory guidance: DGCA directive and FAA bulletin on FCS locking features
- Investigation context: AAIB's preliminary findings cited engine switch confusion as a factor in the crash
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found no major technical faults in the preliminary report and did not call for immediate actions from manufacturers or operators. For Air India, the clean results reinforce confidence in its safety protocols as global carriers face growing scrutiny over flight systems.
With inspections cleared, passengers and industry watchers will be watching how airlines and regulators collaborate to prevent future incidents and keep skies safe.
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Air India completes fuel control switch inspections, reports no faults
cgtn.com
