South Korea to Mandate Fuel Switch Checks on Boeing 787 Jets, Air India Inspects Fleet

South Korea is preparing to instruct all domestic airlines operating Boeing aircraft to inspect fuel cutoff switches, following a deadly Air India crash that killed 260 people. The move comes as global aviation regulators revisit a 2018 advisory issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning fuel switch locking mechanisms on Boeing jets.

The 2018 FAA Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) recommended (but did not mandate) that airlines inspect the locking mechanism of fuel cutoff switches on certain Boeing aircraft, including the 787, to ensure they couldn’t be inadvertently moved.

The order from South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will apply to multiple Boeing aircraft models, including the 787 Dreamliner. While a specific timeline has not been announced, a spokesperson confirmed that the action aligns with the FAA’s 2018 safety recommendation.

The renewed scrutiny of Boeing’s fuel switch locks stems from preliminary findings in the investigation of the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8. According to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, both engine fuel cutoff switches were moved from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position shortly after takeoff—cutting off power to the engines. The report did not determine how or why the switches were moved during flight.

Boeing declined to comment and referred all inquiries to the FAA, which has not responded publicly. However, sources cited by Reuters indicated that both Boeing and the FAA had privately assured airlines that existing fuel switch mechanisms were safe and additional inspections were not necessary.

Meanwhile, Air India has begun inspecting the locking mechanisms on the fuel switches of its Boeing 787 and 737 fleets. According to a source familiar with the matter, about half of Air India’s 787s and nearly all of its 737s have already been checked, with no issues found. The inspections are expected to be completed within days.

It was reported that Air India replaced the critical throttle control module, which includes the fuel control switches, twice on the Boeing 787 before it crashed. The investigation continues into what caused the fuel cutoff switches to activate during takeoff.

Japan Airlines (JAL) also issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to safety. “We are closely monitoring the investigation into the incident and will implement any necessary inspections based on its findings,” the airline said.

The FAA’s 2018 advisory recommended—though did not mandate—that operators of several Boeing aircraft, including the 787, review the locking mechanisms on fuel cutoff switches to ensure they could not be inadvertently activated.


Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=boeing+787, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com