India’s aviation regulator has ordered that all Boeing aircraft registered in the country undergo inspections of their fuel control switch locking mechanisms by 21 July, following concerning findings in the preliminary probe into the Air India Boeing 787 crash. The June accident saw both engine fuel switches unexpectedly move to the “CUTOFF” position shortly after take‑off, leading to catastrophic engine failure.
The directive, issued on 14 July, applies to Boeing 787 Dreamliners as well as select 737 variants—models covered by the FAA’s 2018 Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin NM‑18‑33, which flagged potential disengagement in the switch lock system. Operators of Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and other domestic carriers have been tasked with submitting inspection plans and reports to the DGCA. Failure to comply by the deadline may result in regulatory action.
Air India and its low-cost subsidiary similarly have cleared over half of their 787 and 737 aircraft without detecting any locking mechanism issues. Industry insiders confirm that other global carriers—such as Etihad and carriers in South Korea—have initiated comparable checks, even though both Boeing and the FAA assert the locks remain airworthy and do not warrant a formal safety directive.
The impetus for the DGCA’s order follows the initial findings from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, which reported that the engine fuel switches on the Dreamliner moved to “CUTOFF” within a second of each other shortly after lift‑off. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot querying, “Why did he cut off?” followed by the other denying any action. Although the switches were manually reset moments later, both engines failed to recover thrust in time, causing the aircraft to crash 32 seconds after take‑off.
Investigators emphasise that there is no conclusive evidence yet regarding whether the switches were deliberately manipulated or shifted due to mechanical fault. The design of fuel control switches includes spring‑loaded, bracket‑guarded mechanisms that require upward lifting prior to movement, making accidental toggling difficult. While the FAA had previously noted lock disengagement potential in 737s, it did not escalate to a compulsory inspection, and Boeing stated no further action was needed.
Despite that, regulators and airlines around the world are conducting precautionary measures. Etihad circulated internal guidance for its 787 pilots to inspect switch locks. South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans similar directives. Domestically, the DGCA’s order reflects heightened oversight following the AAIB’s findings.
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