The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have told airlines that the fuel switch locks on Boeing aircraft are safe, despite new scrutiny following a deadly crash in India.
The FAA’s notification, issued on 11 July, came after a preliminary report into last month’s Air India Boeing 787-8 crash that killed 260 people. The report raised questions about the aircraft’s engine fuel cutoff switches.
In its message to global aviation authorities, seen by Reuters, the FAA said it does not consider the design of the fuel control switches to pose an unsafe condition that would require further directives.
Boeing echoed the FAA’s stance in a communication to airlines, stating no action is currently recommended.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report referenced a 2018 FAA advisory suggesting, but not requiring, inspections of fuel switch locks on certain Boeing models, including the 787. Air India confirmed it did not perform these checks as they were not mandatory.
The report also confirmed that all other safety directives and bulletins were followed.
Meanwhile, ALPA India, representing Indian pilots, rejected any early presumption of pilot error. The group called for a fair, fact-based investigation and asked to be included as observers.
A letter from ALPA India highlighted possible equipment malfunction linked to the fuel control switch gates.
Cockpit recordings revealed that during the final moments of the flight, one pilot asked the other why he had cut off the fuel. The second pilot replied that he had not. The report noted that the fuel switches moved to cutoff almost simultaneously after takeoff but did not explain how.
Two U.S. safety experts supported ALPA India's observer request but said the report did not show bias against the pilots.
The investigation remains ongoing, as calls for a thorough and transparent process continue to grow.
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India’s aviation regulator has instructed all airlines to inspect fuel switch systems on Boeing aircraft following a deadly crash in Gujarat last month that killed 241 people.
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