"Air India Reports No Problems with Fuel Control Systems on Remaining Boeing Planes Post Crash Incident"
In the aftermath of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025, a series of inspections on Boeing fuel control switches (FCS) have been carried out across various aircraft models, including Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The investigation into the crash found that the fuel control switches in the cockpit had shifted from the "RUN" position to the "CUTOFF" position within seconds after takeoff, causing both engines to shut down due to fuel starvation.
Following this finding, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a directive on July 14, 2025, mandating all Indian operators of Boeing 787 and select 737 models to inspect the locking mechanisms of their fuel control switches by July 21 to prevent inadvertent switch movement. This directive was based partly on a 2018 advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which had identified potential malfunctions in these fuel switch locks but had not made inspections compulsory at the time.
Air India conducted precautionary inspections on all its Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft and reported no issues with the fuel control switch locks. The inspections also extended to their subsidiary Air India Express's Boeing 737 fleet. The investigation is ongoing, with the final AAIB report expected in the coming months, aiming to determine whether human error, system fault, or other factors caused the FCS movement.
Singapore Airlines, Qantas, ANA, and Lufthansa have confirmed that their Boeing FCS are functioning properly after voluntary inspections. The investigation may influence future maintenance mandates or cockpit design changes to ensure passenger safety. Experts suggest a potential cockpit design review, including the addition of video recorders, to illuminate future incidents.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Air India CEO have urged restraint against speculation about the cause of the crash. A cockpit voice recording indicates the co-pilot asked why the fuel switches had been turned off, with no clear answer from the captain, suggesting a manual move. With no mechanical faults found fleet-wide, investigators must now explore human factors and cockpit operations as potential causes for the AI 171 crash.
India's move to inspect Boeing Fuel Control Switches follows similar checks by South Korea, and global airlines are continuing vigilance to ensure passenger safety. The DGCA ordered inspections of critical Boeing fuel switches, including those on 787 and 737 models. A U.S. source suggests human action as a possible cause for the crash, despite no mechanical issues being found. The inspections on all Boeing 787 Dreamliners by Air India have been completed.
The DGCA's inspections on Indian Boeing 787 and select 737 models' fuel control switches follow South Korea's similar checks, demonstrating a global effort to prioritize technology-related safety concerns in aviation. Investigators are now examining human factors and cockpit operations as potential causes for the AI 171 crash, as no mechanical faults have been identified fleet-wide.
