Airlines are requiring fuel system inspections and the reason for this is...
In the aftermath of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, on June 12, 2025, resulting in 260 fatalities, the fuel control switch locks on Boeing aircraft are under heightened international scrutiny. The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated fleet-wide inspections of the locking mechanisms on fuel switches for Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft by July 21, 2025.
Despite the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing's assertion that the fuel switch locks are safe, several international aviation regulators and airlines are conducting precautionary inspections. This comes as a result of the preliminary investigation into the Air India crash, which revealed that both fuel control switches moved from the "RUN" to the "CUTOFF" position almost simultaneously shortly after takeoff, leading to engine thrust loss. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning why the fuel was cut off, with the other denying any action[1][2].
In 2018, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, recommending inspections to ensure the locking feature's integrity but not mandating action. The FAA recently reiterated that the fuel switch locks do not present an unsafe condition warranting formal airworthiness directives. Boeing has also echoed this stance, advising airlines of no new actions required[3][4].
However, in the wake of the Air India crash, some regulators and airlines are taking a more cautious approach. The DGCA in India and South Korea are preparing directives for their domestic airlines to inspect the fuel control switches on Boeing jets. Etihad Airways has issued an internal directive to its Boeing 787 pilots, instructing them to exercise caution when handling the fuel control switches[1].
Maintenance records show that the throttle control module, which contains the fuel switches, had been replaced on the aircraft in both 2019 and 2023. The Air India preliminary report also stated that all relevant airworthiness directives and service bulletins had been complied with[1][5]. Air India has inspected over half of its Boeing 787s without finding any issues so far[1][5].
Investigators are still working to determine how and why the switches moved to the "CUTOFF" position shortly after takeoff. The differing approaches taken by various authorities and operators reflect the heightened vigilance in response to a recent fatal incident and ongoing investigations.
The airline news regarding the recent tragedy of Air India Flight AI171 has led to increased scrutiny in the aviation industry. Finance and transportation sectors are closely watching the unfolding events as international aviation regulators and airlines conduct precautionary inspections on Boeing aircraft fuel control switches. This is particularly significant as the preliminary investigation revealed an anomaly where both switches moved from the "RUN" to the "CUTOFF" position shortly after takeoff, potentially causing engine thrust loss.
