Air India Completes Thorough Inspections

Air India has successfully completed precautionary inspections on the fuel control switches (FCS) of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, reporting no issues. This follows a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to inspect these systems by July 21. The directive was issued after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a report on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which highlighted concerns about the fuel cutoff switches.

Background of the Directive

The DGCA’s directive aligns with a previous bulletin from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued in December 2018. This bulletin warned of potential disengagement issues with the FCS locking feature in certain Boeing models, including the Boeing 737. Although Air India had not previously conducted inspections based on this non-mandatory advisory, recent events prompted a comprehensive review.

Inspection Process and Findings

Over the weekend, Air India’s engineering team initiated inspections on all Boeing 787 aircraft’s FCS locking mechanisms. These checks were part of routine maintenance involving throttle control module (TCM) replacements. An Air India official confirmed that no issues were found during these inspections, ensuring the continued safety and reliability of their fleet.

Implications for Air India’s Fleet

This inspection was not limited to the Boeing 787-8 models; Air India Express’s Boeing 737 Max fleet also underwent similar checks, with no problems detected. The proactive measures taken by Air India underscore their commitment to safety and compliance with international aviation standards.

Conclusion and Future Measures

The AAIB report detailed that both fuel cutoff switches moved to ‘cutoff’ shortly after takeoff, leading to a crash within 32 seconds. Despite this tragic incident, Air India’s recent inspections have provided reassurance regarding the safety of their aircraft systems. Moving forward, Air India is likely to continue adhering to both mandatory and non-mandatory advisories to prevent future incidents.