FAA confirms no mechanical issue with Boeing 787 fuel control unit following Air India accident
The investigation into the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787 jet last month has taken a significant turn, with the focus now centred on the movement of the engine fuel control switches. According to preliminary reports from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the fuel control switches had almost simultaneously flipped from "run" to "cutoff" shortly after takeoff, causing the engines to lose power.
Despite this focus, authoritative agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have ruled out a mechanical problem with the Boeing 787 fuel control switches. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated with confidence that it does not appear to be a mechanical issue with the Boeing fuel control units. Tests and inspections of the switches on working aircraft support this conclusion.
The current investigation into the crash has not identified any indication of fuel contamination, improper flap retraction, or design flaws in the engines or aircraft contributing to the accident. The lack of urgent advisories from Boeing, GE Aerospace, or safety boards further implies the issue was not a systemic mechanical fault but likely related to the operation or inadvertent movement of the fuel switches during flight.
Air India has completed precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch locking mechanism on all 787 and 737 aircraft, with no issues detected. The FAA and Boeing have privately issued notifications that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe.
The investigation into the cause of the crash continues, with the probe focusing on how and why the fuel switches were moved during flight. The crash site has not been specified in the article.
The crash of the Air India Boeing 787 jet killed 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground. The tragedy has raised concerns about aviation safety, with the focus on the fuel control switches shedding light on potential operational or human-related factors rather than technical malfunctions.
Meanwhile, another tragic incident has occurred, with a Royal Caribbean crew member stabbing a colleague and subsequently jumping overboard, resulting in his death.
In a separate development, the Middle East Conflict is causing a lack of basic necessities for mothers and babies in Gaza, with no formula or food available, leading to starvation.
The FAA's administrator, Bryan Bedford, stated that they feel very comfortable that the issue is not with inadvertent manipulation of fuel control. The investigation into the Air India crash is ongoing, with Boeing and Air India yet to comment on the investigation findings.
- Given the focus on the fuel control switches in the ongoing investigation, it's worth considering whether there might be a connection between the aviation industry and finance, as a combination of faulty manufacturing components or human error could potentially impact the financial health of airlines due to incidents like this.
- In light of the investigation findings suggesting that the crash was likely not a mechanical issue with the Boeing 787 fuel control switches, it's important to scrutinize the transportation sector, including aviation, to see if there are any systemic safety issues that need addressing, and to ensure that accidents like this don't happen again in the future.
