In a significant move following a tragic aviation disaster, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated airlines to undertake thorough inspections of fuel control switches in Boeing planes. This directive is a response to preliminary findings of the Air India Flight 171 crash, which tragically claimed 260 lives in June and revealed that the fuel flow to the aircraft's engines had been interrupted shortly after takeoff.
India Mandates Inspection of Boeing Fuel Switches Following Air India Crash
India Mandates Inspection of Boeing Fuel Switches Following Air India Crash
India's aviation authority instructs airlines to inspect Boeing aircraft fuel control switches amidst heightened safety concerns.
The order coincides with independent checks already undertaken by various airlines both domestically and globally. While the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has asserted the safety of these switches, alarming concerns have emerged over their functioning, with the DGCA emphasizing the need for strict compliance with the set inspection deadline of July 21.
This directive aligns with a 2018 FAA advisory that, while non-mandatory, suggested operators inspect the securing features of fuel cut-off switches to prevent accidental disengagement. Reports indicate that Air India had not acted on these recommendations due to their non-binding nature. On the other side, the FAA clarified that it does not consider the aircraft unsafe despite the issues raised.
The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association has come forth to defend the crew of Flight 171, stating that they operated under difficult circumstances and adhered to their training protocols. Preliminary investigations have highlighted a concerning incident in the cockpit, where voice recordings capture one pilot questioning the fuel switch's cut-off position, suggesting potential operational errors under stress.
As safety checks ramp up, it appears more countries, including South Korea, are contemplating similar reviews for their Boeing-operated airlines. The aviation community watches closely, as the outcome of these measures could influence global airline operations and regulations.
This directive aligns with a 2018 FAA advisory that, while non-mandatory, suggested operators inspect the securing features of fuel cut-off switches to prevent accidental disengagement. Reports indicate that Air India had not acted on these recommendations due to their non-binding nature. On the other side, the FAA clarified that it does not consider the aircraft unsafe despite the issues raised.
The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association has come forth to defend the crew of Flight 171, stating that they operated under difficult circumstances and adhered to their training protocols. Preliminary investigations have highlighted a concerning incident in the cockpit, where voice recordings capture one pilot questioning the fuel switch's cut-off position, suggesting potential operational errors under stress.
As safety checks ramp up, it appears more countries, including South Korea, are contemplating similar reviews for their Boeing-operated airlines. The aviation community watches closely, as the outcome of these measures could influence global airline operations and regulations.
