Air India Clears Boeing 737, 787 Fleet After Fuel Switch Probe

Air India has completed mandatory safety inspections on the fuel control switch locking mechanisms across its Boeing 737 and 787 fleets, reporting no issues with the critical components. The announcement, made on Tuesday July 22, follows a directive from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued on July 14 in the wake of a deadly crash involving a Boeing 787-8.

The inspections covered all Boeing 787 Dreamliners in Air India’s mainline fleet and Boeing 737 aircraft operated by its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express. The airline said the checks were completed within the DGCA’s prescribed timeframe, beginning on July 12 and concluding ahead of schedule. The findings were promptly reported to regulators.

“No issues were found with the said locking mechanism,” Air India confirmed in a statement, indicating full compliance and operational readiness across both fleets.

The probe was triggered by a June 12 crash involving an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, in which 260 people were killed. Preliminary findings by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicated that both engines lost power when fuel cutoff switches transitioned from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” positions within one second of each other, shortly after takeoff. Cockpit voice recordings revealed confusion between pilots regarding who had activated the switches.

Although the root cause of the crash remains under investigation, the DGCA issued the inspection directive as a precautionary measure to ensure mechanical integrity across similar aircraft types. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously flagged a related concern in a 2018 Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) warning of potential disengagement issues with fuel control switch locking features on Boeing 737 aircraft. However, that advisory was non-mandatory.

The completion of fleet-wide inspections provides operational clarity for Air India as it continues to rebuild and expand under Tata Group ownership. The airline’s fleet of Boeing 737s and 787s serves a vital role in its domestic and international networks, and ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft is critical to maintaining schedule integrity and passenger confidence.

The news comes at a time when Boeing continues to face global scrutiny over safety concerns following multiple high-profile incidents, most notably the two 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that resulted in 346 fatalities. The manufacturer has since implemented extensive software and hardware updates, but every subsequent safety event draws heightened attention from regulators and the public alike.

For Air India, the successful closure of this latest inspection campaign underscores its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. It also signals readiness to maintain uninterrupted service across its major routes while enhancing operational oversight across its growing fleet.

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