India's aviation safety is taking a front seat following a tragic June crash of Air India Flight 171 that led to the loss of 260 lives. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered airlines in India to inspect the fuel control switches in Boeing aircraft, citing safety concerns stemming from a preliminary investigation into the fatal incident.
The call for assessments gains momentum as several airlines start conducting self-checks in light of international safety guidelines. Notably, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the switches are deemed safe, but concerns have been raised since the crash report identified that fuel to the engines was cut off shortly after takeoff.
The DGCA has set a deadline for these safety checks by July 21, stressing the urgency to maintain airworthiness. The inspections are in line with a 2018 FAA advisory that, although not mandatory, recommended operators examine the locking mechanisms of the fuel switches to prevent accidental adjustments.
In the wake of the crash, which involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its way to London, airlines have stepped up safety measures. The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association defended the flight crew's actions, asserting they followed their training amid challenging conditions.
The preliminary report, which does not assign blame, revealed a cockpit exchange where one pilot questioned the cut-off of fuel flow, leading to the current scrutiny of Boeing's fuel system design. Meanwhile, South Korean authorities are also poised to inspect their airlines operating Boeing jets to ensure compliance with safety measures.
