In brief
A recent preliminary report linked the tragic Air India Flight 171 disaster to fuel switch issues, but the FAA assures no design flaws render the planes unsafe.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that the fuel control switches in Boeing airplanes are safe, in response to concerns following the Air India Flight 171 crash in June that resulted in the deaths of 260 people. A preliminary report from investigators highlighted that the fuel supply to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner engines was cut off shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. This crash, one of the deadliest aviation incidents in a decade, raised alarms about the safety of the fuel switches, which were reportedly moved to the "cut-off" position just moments into the flight. Investigators noted that the FAA had previously issued a 2018 advisory encouraging operators to inspect these switches for safety, but it was not mandated. The FAA stated it does not believe the switch design poses an unsafe condition, despite past concerns regarding their locking feature. According to the preliminary report, cockpit recordings indicated confusion among pilots about the fuel cut-off, raising questions about how the switch was manipulated during the flight. Flight 171 was en route to London when it tragically crashed into a medical college near the airport shortly after takeoff, leaving one survivor. A comprehensive report from investigators is expected in the next 12 months.
