New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed all Indian carriers operating Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft to inspect the fuel switch locking system by 21 July 2025. This move follows a preliminary investigation into the recent Air India Boeing 787 crash, which revealed that fuel supply to both engines was cut off moments before the accident.

According to PTI, DGCA noted that several global and domestic operators have started inspecting their fleets in line with the FAA's guidance. The directorate has now formally advised Indian carriers, including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, to conduct inspections and submit compliance reports to the DGCA and relevant regional offices. Fuel control switches are critical in regulating engine fuel flow.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had highlighted the possibility of unintended disengagement of the fuel control switch locking mechanism in certain Boeing 787 and 737 models back in 2018. The issue was raised through a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB), but not classified as a safety risk, so no directive was issued.

Air India flight AI 171, operated with the Boeing 787-8, en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on 12 June, killing all 260 people on board. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its preliminary report released on Saturday, found that the fuel control switches were disengaged almost simultaneously, leading to cockpit confusion. Cockpit voice recordings captured a pilot questioning the other about the switch-off, with both denying any action.

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