Mumbai: Just two days after the preliminary report of the AI-171 crash highlighted that the transition of fuel supply switches caused the loss of fuel to both the engines, the director general of civil aviation (DGCA) has ordered airlines to initiate inspection of their aircraft fleet’s fuel control switch locking feature.
On Saturday, the preliminary investigation report into the tragic crash of Air India’s AI-171 aircraft in Ahmedabad, that killed 260 people, highlighted that the fuel supply switches for both the engines were disengaged causing the loss of fuel supply, seconds after take-off. However, the cause of the switch transmission was not conveyed in the preliminary report.
While the aircraft accident investigation bureau (AAIB) did not suggest any recommendations to Boeing, the country’s aviation watchdog issued an order for all the Boeing aircraft to undergo an inspection for the fuel supply switches.
The order, passed on Monday, has its history back in December 2018 when the federal aviation administration (FAA) of the US, in a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB), highlighted the potential for disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature on multiple Boeing aircraft models.
The red flag was issued for 27 Boeing aircraft models, including the 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, which crashed in Ahmedabad. DGCA issues mandatory modifications for aircraft, engines and components registered in India based on the airworthiness directives issued by the state of design and manufacture.
While multiple domestic as well as international operators, like Etihad Airways, had already directed its pilots to initiate voluntary inspections on their Boeing fleet’s fuel supply switches, DGCA also mandated all Indian airlines to undergo the inspection. The airlines have been asked to complete the inspection by July 21 and submit the inspection plan and its report to the authority’s regional offices.
“Strict adherence to the timeline is essential to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of operations,” read the order issued by DGCA’s director of airworthiness.
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