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.
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday directed all domestic airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking mechanism in their Boeing aircraft by 21 July, in line with guidance from U.S. regulators.
The move follows a preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the 12 June crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India. The report found that both engines lost power after confusion in the cockpit over the position of the engine fuel switches, resulting in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India in decades.
The DGCA referenced a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in December 2018, which highlighted concerns over the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature.
Fuel control switches are critical components that manage the flow of fuel to an aircraft’s engines. The AAIB report did not identify any mechanical or engine failure, nor did it recommend immediate action against Boeing or the aircraft model.
India’s major carriers, including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, operate Boeing 787 and 737 jets and are expected to comply with the directive.
Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson confirmed that all maintenance checks had been completed as required and said the AAIB report found no fault with the aircraft or its engines.
Meanwhile, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA-India) has demanded greater transparency in the investigation. In a statement, the association objected to what it called a narrative presuming pilot error.
“We feel that the investigation is being driven in a direction presuming the guilt of pilots, and we strongly object to this line of thought,” said ALPA-India president Sam Thomas.
The London-bound flight crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.
As investigations continue, the DGCA's latest directive seeks to ensure that similar fuel switch confusion does not jeopardise future flights.
A documentary produced by AnewZ highlighting the Azerbaijani city of Shaki and its living heritage was screened on 21 May during the 13th Session o...
Russia pledged support for Cuba on Thursday after the U.S. indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro on murder charges linked to the 1996 ...
Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to accelerate peace talks between the United States and Iran, as Tehran reviews Washington’s late...
The European Union has moved closer to finalising a trade agreement with the United States in an effort to avoid a...
Russia delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of major nuclear drills, the Russia...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Sweden this week for talks with NATO foreign ministers before heading to India for meetings focused on trade, energy and defence cooperation.
India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed on a framework for a strategic defence partnership, according to India’s foreign ministry.
Indian drivers face higher fuel costs after state-run fuel retailers raised petrol and diesel prices for the first time in four years by three rupees ($0.03) per litre, equivalent to more than 3%.
Foreign ministers from the expanded BRICS bloc gathered in New Delhi on Thursday (14 May) for a crucial two-day meeting overshadowed by the ongoing Iran war, internal tensions within the grouping and mounting fears over global energy supplies.
Asian stocks surged on Thursday as some vessels resumed passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while forecast-beating results at Nvidia and a suspended workers' strike at Samsung Electronics lifted shares of chipmakers.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
Day four of the World Urban Forum (WUF) in Baku brings a packed agenda on sustainable cities and the global housing crisis, with sessions on green housing, smart cities, public spaces and urban rights taking place on Wednesday (20 May) at Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan.
At least 21 people have been killed and thousands evacuated after torrential rain triggered flooding, landslides and transport disruption across southern and central China, with authorities warning that more heavy rainfall is expected along the Yangtze River.
Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya warned on Tuesday (19 May) that Moscow could retaliate against Baltic states if Ukraine launches military drones from that region. Latvia, the United States and Ukraine responded strongly during a UN Security Council meeting.
NATO fighter jets were activated on Thursday (21 May) after at least one drone entered Latvian airspace, according to Latvia’s armed forces, marking the latest in a series of security incidents across the Baltic region linked to the war in Ukraine.
Russia pledged support for Cuba on Thursday after the U.S. indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro on murder charges linked to the 1996 downing of exile planes, escalating tensions between Washington and Havana.
The European Union has moved closer to finalising a trade agreement with the United States in an effort to avoid a new tariff escalation threatened by President Donald Trump. The proposed deal is aimed at stabilising transatlantic trade ties amid mounting economic and political pressure.
Russia delivered nuclear munitions to field storage facilities in Belarus as part of major nuclear drills, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
Russia and China plan to unveil a nearly one-kilometre cable car over the Amur river by the end of the year, the TASS state news agency reported on Thursday (21 May).
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment