The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the safety of Boeing fuel control switches, amidst scrutiny following the Air India Flight 171 tragedy that resulted in the deaths of 260 people in June, including passengers onboard and individuals on the ground. The FAA’s assertion comes after a preliminary report released by the India Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) revealed that the fuel flow to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s engines was halted shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport.
The AAIB's report indicated that the aircraft, which was en route to London, crashed just a minute after departure, marking it as one of the most catastrophic aviation disasters in nearly a decade. Investigations found that the switches controlling fuel flow had shifted from "run" to "cut-off," which compromised the plane's thrust.
In light of this incident, the AAIB referenced a 2018 FAA advisory, which suggested that operators inspect the locking feature on fuel cut-off switches to prevent accidental displacement, although it did not mandate such actions. The AAIB indicated that Air India failed to implement these recommendations.
In an internal note shared with the BBC, the FAA expressed that while its 2018 advisory was prompted by concerns over the disengaged locking feature, it still considers Boeing aircraft, including the Model 787, to be safe. The FAA intends to continue its collaboration with international civil aviation authorities to share related information.
Investigators have also examined cockpit recordings from the fateful flight, revealing a perplexing exchange between the pilots shortly before the crash. One pilot questioned the other about the fuel cut-off, to which the other pilot denied any action to do so. This confusion arises from the simultaneous actuation of the fuel switches during flight, yet the report has yet to determine how this occurred.
Air India Flight 171 was intended for a direct flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, but it tragically struck a medical college near the airport. Notable is the survival of one British national from the incident. A thorough and more comprehensive investigation report is anticipated within the next year.
