India Orders Fuel Switch Inspections on Boeing Jets Following Crash

India’s aviation regulator has ordered all domestic airlines operating Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft to inspect the fuel control switch locking mechanisms by July 21, following a preliminary investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 crash that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad last month.

The directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) comes amid mounting scrutiny over the fuel switch locks, which investigators say may have inadvertently flipped from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” seconds after takeoff, cutting fuel supply to both engines. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report cited cockpit voice recordings in which one pilot asked, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” and the other replied, “I didn’t”.

The switches, located below the thrust levers in the cockpit, are designed to require a deliberate lift-and-toggle motion to prevent accidental activation. However, a 2018 FAA advisory had recommended inspections of these locking features across several Boeing models, including the 787 and 737. Air India reportedly did not perform the checks, as the advisory was non-binding.

In response to the crash, Air India Group began inspecting its fleet over the weekend. According to sources, half of its 787s and nearly all 737s have already been checked, with no defects found so far. CEO Campbell Wilson stated in an internal memo that the aircraft met all maintenance requirements and cautioned against premature conclusions, emphasizing that the investigation remains ongoing.

On Tuesday, South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced a similar directive, instructing domestic carriers to inspect fuel switch locks on Boeing aircraft in line with the FAA’s 2018 advisory. Flag carrier Korean Air Lines confirmed it had already begun proactive checks.

Other global carriers including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Qantas have also initiated precautionary inspections, despite reassurances from Boeing and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the switches are safe and do not warrant an airworthiness directive.

As the investigation continues, regulators and airlines worldwide are taking a cautious approach, prioritizing safety and transparency in response to one of the deadliest aviation incidents in India’s history.