FAA Confirms No Mechanical Fault in Boeing 787 Crash

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that the recent Air India Boeing 787 crash was not due to a mechanical fault in the aircraft’s fuel control unit. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford made this announcement during an air show in Wisconsin, emphasizing that thorough inspections and tests have ruled out any inadvertent manipulation of the fuel control system as a cause.

Comprehensive Testing and Inspections Conducted

FAA employees conducted extensive tests on the fuel control units, removing them from aircraft for detailed examination. Inspectors also boarded planes to review the systems firsthand. Bedford expressed confidence in the findings, assuring that the issue does not lie with the fuel control unit or its switches.

Focus Shifts to Fuel Control Switches

The investigation into the crash, which tragically claimed 241 lives onboard and 19 on the ground, is now concentrating on the fuel control switches of the Boeing 787. These switches are crucial for managing fuel flow to engines, enabling pilots to start or stop engines on the ground or intervene during in-flight engine failures.

Air India’s Precautionary Measures

In response to the incident, Air India has completed precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch locking mechanisms across its fleet of 787 and 737 aircraft. The airline reported no issues were detected during these checks.

Preliminary Findings and Industry Response

A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau revealed that shortly after takeoff, the fuel control switches unexpectedly flipped from “run” to “cutoff,” leading to engine power loss. Additionally, a cockpit recording suggested that the captain may have inadvertently cut fuel to the engines. Despite these findings, both the FAA and Boeing have privately assured that the fuel switch locks are safe.