Air India completes fuel control switch inspections on Boeing fleet after deadly Ahmedabad crash
PTC Web Desk: In the aftermath of a tragic air crash involving one of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, Air India has completed precautionary inspections of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) locking mechanism across its Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 737 aircraft. The move follows safety directives issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and heightened concern over aircraft safety standards.
The inspections were conducted in response to a fatal incident on June 12, when an Air India flight en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff, striking a hostel building. The devastating accident claimed 260 lives, including 19 persons on the ground. Only one of the 242 passengers onboard survived. The root cause of the crash remains under investigation, prompting a broad review of safety mechanisms within the aviation industry.
In a proactive step, Air India initiated voluntary inspections of the FCS locking mechanism on July 12—two days ahead of the official DGCA directive issued on July 14. The airline confirmed that all checks were completed within the regulatory timeline.
“No anomalies were detected in the locking mechanism during the inspections,” a spokesperson for Air India stated. “The completion of these checks has been duly reported to the aviation regulator.”
Air India Express, the carrier’s budget subsidiary operating Boeing 737s, also participated in the inspection drive. The airline reiterated its unwavering commitment to safety, stating, “The safety of our passengers and crew continues to be Air India’s highest priority.”
- With inputs from agencies
