In brief
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that airlines must check the fuel switches of their Boeing aircraft in response to concerns raised by an Air India crash that resulted in 260 fatalities. This directive follows a preliminary investigation indicating that fuel supply was cut off shortly after takeoff. Although the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) declared these switches as safe, the DGCA emphasized the urgency of the inspections, with a deadline set for July 21, adhering to an advisory from 2018 that suggested checking these switches to prevent accidental switches to the cut-off position.
The tragic incident involving Flight 171 sparked widespread scrutiny within both Indian and international aviation communities. The DGCA's directive is part of a broader response to the situation, with airlines across the globe beginning inspections as a precautionary measure. Additionally, the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association defended the actions of the crew, asserting that they acted competently in a challenging scenario. The preliminary report stated that the investigation's purpose is not to assign blame but to identify safety issues. Internationally, South Korea is also preparing to issue similar orders for its airlines operating Boeing aircraft to inspect fuel control switches. The DGCA has followed the FAA's non-mandatory advisory from 2018 concerning the locking feature of the fuel cut-off switches and is insisting on compliance to ensure passenger safety in future operations.
