India Orders Fuel Switch Checks on Boeing 737 and 787 Jets

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed all local operators of Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft to inspect the locking mechanisms on fuel control switches following safety concerns highlighted in a recent accident probe.

The order follows the preliminary report issued by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the June 12, 2025 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad. While the full cause is still under investigation, the report referenced potential issues with the fuel control switch locks as a contributing factor.

The inspection directive applies to Boeing 737-700, 737-800, and 737-900ER aircraft, as well as all Indian-registered Boeing 787s. Operators affected include Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express.

The DGCA cited a 2018 Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which warned of potential disengagement of the locking mechanism on specific Boeing aircraft variants. Although the SAIB did not require mandatory action at the time, India’s aviation regulator has now deemed the issue urgent enough to warrant immediate review.

Airlines have until July 21 to complete inspections and submit their findings to the DGCA. The inspections aim to ensure the locking devices are functioning properly to prevent unintended fuel cutoff during flight.

This move underscores India’s heightened focus on aviation safety, particularly involving complex aircraft systems. The DGCA is expected to determine whether further regulatory action or modifications are needed based on the results of the inspections.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com