South Korea preparing to order airlines to check fuel switches on Boeing jets
The spokesperson did not give a timeline for the checks. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fuel switch locks have come under scrutiny after a preliminary report into the crash of an Air India's Boeing 787-8 jet that killed 260 people last month mentioned a 2018 advisory from the FAA.
The FAA advisory recommended, but did not mandate, operators of several Boeing models, including the 787, to inspect the locking feature of the fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be moved accidentally.
Reuters reported on Sunday, citing a document and sources, that the planemaker and the FAA have privately issued notifications to airlines and regulators that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe and checks are not required.
The Air India preliminary report said the airline had not carried out the FAA's suggested inspections as the FAA's 2018 advisory was not a mandate. But it also said maintenance records showed that the throttle control module, which includes the fuel switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023 on the plane involved in the crash.
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News18
31 minutes ago
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Etihad, Other Airlines Order Inspection Of Boeing 787 Fuel Switch Locks: Report
Last Updated: The directive came just after an initial probe report of the plane crash involving an Air India flight AI-171, which resulted in 270 fatalities, was released. After preliminary findings from the investigation into the June 12 crash of Air India flight AI-171, major international airlines have started inspecting the fuel control switch locking mechanisms on their Boeing 787 aircraft, according to a report. The directive came just after an initial probe report of the plane crash involving an Air India flight AI-171, which resulted in 270 fatalities, was released. Etihad Airways issued an internal instruction on July 13 directing engineers to examine the locking mechanisms on its Boeing 787 aircraft, specifically referencing aircraft registered as A6-BLI, reported The Economic Times, citing exclusive documents. Sources revealed that Singapore Airlines has also begun similar inspections. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on July 12, stating that the fuel control switches on the Air India aircraft had transitioned from 'RUN" to 'CUTOFF" just three seconds after takeoff. According to the AAIB, cockpit audio recorded a conversation between the pilots, with one asking, 'Why did you cut off (the fuel supply)?" The other responded that he had not done so. The Boeing 787's fuel control switches are designed with a locking system that prevents unintentional movement. The switch must be lifted before being moved into position—either forward to initiate fuel supply (RUN) or backwards to stop it (CUTOFF). The AAIB cited a 2018 safety notice from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which warned of potential failures in this locking mechanism. The bulletin highlighted the risk that a faulty system could allow the switch to move without deliberate pilot input. However, Air India had not conducted the FAA-recommended inspection, as it was not classified as mandatory. As investigations continue, other airlines are now taking precautionary steps to examine their own Boeing 787 fleets for similar issues. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 12:46 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Fuel switch check mandated by DGCA: How many Boeing 787, 737 aircraft active in India
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday ordered the checking of fuel switch locking systems in the Boeing 787 and 737 planes of all airlines operating in the country. This brings into focus the numbers and spread of these planes in their fleets. The Air India Group has already initiated inspection of the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft.(HT_PRINT) The aviation watchdog's direction came after a preliminary probe report on the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, in which 260 people died, spotlighted the fuel switches. The report said one of the pilots asked the other about why the fuel was 'cut off', to which the other said he had not done that. It remains to be investigated how the switches moved, if they did. The US aviation watchdog had in 2018 advised ailrlines to check the locking system that prevents accidental use of the switches. But Air India said it did not check it because the suggestion was 'advisory' and 'not mandatory'. Now with the DGCA stepping into mandate the check, here are some key numbers: At present, there are over 150 Boeing 737 and 787 planes operational in India. The domestic airlines operating the models are Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and IndiGo. Indigo has seven B737 Max 8 and one B787-9 in its fleet, all of these being on either wet or damp lease. A wet lease means the plane, all crew and other staff, while a damp lease includes the plane and flight crew, but not cabin crew. Being on lease, these planes are not registered in India and therefore, would not be subject to DGCA's directive. Air India has 33 wide-body Boeing 787 planes, and Air India Express has around 75 narrow-body 737s. The Air India Group has already initiated inspection of the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. The checks for 737s are almost complete while half of the 787s have also been inspected, PTI quoted sources as saying. Further, the DGCA on Monday said that it had learnt that several international as well as domestic carriers had launched inspections of their aircraft as per FAA's SAIB. Fuel switch flagged by US FAA in 2018 The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had flagged the potential disengagement of the fuel switch locking system in some Boeing models, including 787 and 737, in 2018. The FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin had highlighted the issue, but did not issue a directive, thus sparking no sparking no safety concerns. In its order on Monday, though, the DGCA stated, "... all airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection... no later than 21st July 2025." The probe report into the June 12 crash had stated that fuel supply to both engines in AI-171 was cut off within a second.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
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Air India, Air India Express check fuel control switches in all Boeing aircraft after probe findings
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