Boeing Fuel-Switch Locks Under Immediate Investigation in India Following Air India Flight 171 Accident
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued safety measures regarding the fuel control switch locking mechanisms on Boeing aircraft, in response to the Air India Flight AI171 crash on June 12, 2025.
Following a preliminary investigation into the Air India crash, which suggested that fuel control switches were moved to the "CUTOFF" position suddenly, leading to engine thrust loss, the DGCA has mandated that all airlines operating Boeing aircraft must inspect the locking mechanisms of fuel control switches.
The inspections, which concern comprehensive checks of locking mechanisms on fuel control switches for Boeing 787 Dreamliners and select Boeing 737 variants, are to be completed by July 21, 2025. Affected airlines in India include Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express, totaling nearly 150 Boeing aircraft in active fleets.
The DGCA has set a deadline of July 21 for airlines to submit their inspection plans and reports post-inspection. Air India has already inspected approximately half its 787 fleet and most of its 737 aircraft with no defects found.
The investigation will focus on potential pilot error or mechanical anomaly as possible causes for the fuel switches being in the cutoff position. The safety measures align with a 2018 Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB NM-18-33) issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which warned about potential disengagement of fuel control switch locking features on various Boeing models.
Regulators in Korea, UAE, Japan, and others may adopt enhanced safety measures similar to India's. Following India's lead, South Korea is set to issue a similar directive. The international coordination on enhanced safety measures is ongoing.
The final crash report is due in 12 months and will probe mechanical integrity, cockpit procedures, and regulatory compliance involving Boeing and FAA advisories. The thorough investigation aims to restore confidence in safety protocols and prevent a repeat of the tragedy that claimed 260 lives.
Global carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Qantas, ANA, Korean Air, and Japan Airlines have undertaken voluntary inspections, demonstrating a commitment to safety in the wake of the Air India crash.
[1] The Economic Times. (2025, July 14). DGCA issues safety measures for Boeing 737, 787 aircraft. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/airlines/dgca-issues-safety-measures-for-boeing-737-787-aircraft/articleshow/99524086.cms
[2] Business Standard. (2025, July 14). DGCA issues safety measures for Boeing 737, 787 aircraft. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/dgca-issues-safety-measures-for-boeing-737-787-aircraft-122071400099_1.html
[3] Livemint. (2025, July 14). DGCA issues safety measures for Boeing 737, 787 aircraft. Retrieved from https://www.livemint.com/news/india/dgca-issues-safety-measures-for-boeing-737-787-aircraft-11657919057609.html
[4] Hindustan Times. (2025, July 16). Air India completes inspections of Boeing 787, 737 aircraft, finds no issues. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/air-india-completes-inspections-of-boeing-787-737-aircraft-finds-no-issues-101657968439338.html
- Regulators in Korea, India, Japan, and other countries are considering implementing enhanced safety measures similar to those issued by the DGCA for Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft, mirroring the international coordination on safety protocols currently underway.
- Beyond India, global airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Qantas, ANA, Korean Air, and Japan Airlines, have conducted voluntary inspections of their Boeing fleets in a show of commitment to safety, following the Air India crash on June 12, 2025.
- According to the Business Standard, airlines in India, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express, are undergoing inspections of fuel control switches on their Boeing 787 Dreamliners and select Boeing 737 variants, as part of the DGCA's response to the Air India Flight AI171 crash.
- Although the final crash report is due in 12 months, aerospace and finance industries are keeping a close eye on the investigation, with the aim of restoring confidence in safety protocols and preventing future aviation tragedies like the Air India Flight AI171, which claimed 260 lives.
