Mandatory Inspections of Jet Fuel Systems on Boeing Aircraft Following Air India Accident as Perged by Aviation Regulatory Body
In the aftermath of the tragic Air India crash that claimed the lives of 260 people, the aviation industry has been prompted to take a closer look at the fuel switch lock systems on Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fuel control switches had inadvertently moved from the 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position shortly after takeoff, causing both engines to lose power.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) in 2018, warning operators about potential issues with fuel control switches on Boeing 737 aircraft. While this advisory did not cover the 787 model, the fuel switch design and locking mechanism were found to be remarkably similar, leading to worldwide inspections across various Boeing models.
Following the crash, Air India conducted precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch locking mechanism on its Boeing 787 fleet and reported no issues were found. Boeing also assured operators that the fuel switch locks were safe. However, it was discovered that Air India had not adhered to the FAA's recommended inspections, as the advisory was not mandatory.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has since mandated immediate grounding of all Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft for inspections of all fuel switch lock systems. The urgency comes as a result of the fatal Air India crash, with experts pointing out that the fuel switches require a deliberate action to disengage, but the FAA's 2018 inspection found "accidental movement" was a documented issue on all Boeing aircraft, except for 737s.
IndiGo, another major Indian carrier, has announced that its leased Boeing jets will be excluded from the inspections. Meanwhile, Korean Air has already conducted inspections of fuel switch locks before any government directive.
Singapore Airlines has also completed checks on all fuel switches on its 787 fleet, and some airlines, such as Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, are taking precautionary tests even after Boeing's assurances. South Korea's transport ministry has ordered domestic airlines to conduct similar checks.
The FAA and Boeing maintain that the fuel switches are safe, but regulators don't take chances when it comes to aviation safety. The inspections are a precautionary step mandated worldwide to confirm that the locking mechanisms on inspected aircraft are functioning properly, emphasising the critical importance of adherence to FAA guidance for preventing accidental engine shutdown.
- The tragic Air India crash has led to a focus on fuel switch lock systems on Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft not just in the aviation industry, but also in general news and crime-and-justice discourse, as questions arise about the safety of these systems.
- In light of the Air India crash, the transport sector, particularly the automotive and aviation industries, is faced with the challenge of ensuring their vehicles and aircraft are safe, with discussions centered around fuel control switches and potential accidental movement.
- Finance is also impacted as the aviation industry deals with the costs of investigations, inspections, and potential aviation safety improvements following the Air India crash, leading to discussions about the industry's financial performance and the funds allocated for safety measures.
- Car accidents, while distinct from aircraft accidents, share a common thread in that they both involve vehicles and the potential for human error, making the discussions about fuel switch lock systems in aviation relevant to overall transportation safety and the efforts to prevent accidents.
