FAA and Boeing Confirm Fuel Switch Locks Safe Post-India Air Crash Report

The United States Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) and Boeing has sent out internal messages stating that the fuel shutoff switches on Boeing planes are secure, amid heavy examination following last month's events deadly accident involving Air India flight 171 a Boeing 787-8 heading to London, as reported by Reuters on Sunday. The crash on June 12 resulted in fatalities 259 out of 260 people on board and 19 injured on the ground in Ahmedabad.

contacted the FAA and Boeing on Sunday through email seeking their response.

Why It Matters

This recent update occurs as authorities continue their efforts to identify whether the crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12 resulted from pilot mistake or technical issues.

Initial results showed that both engine fuel valves were switched to "cut-off" soon after departure from Ahmedabad, as recorded in the cockpit voice transcripts which captured uncertainty among the pilots regarding how the switches ended up being deactivated.

What To Know

An ongoing airworthiness notice issued by the FAA to Civil Aviation Authorities on July 11 mentioned that even though the lock mechanism for fuel control switches is comparable among multiple Boeing aircraft models, the agency doesn’t view the matter as an “unsafe situation” necessitating an airworthiness directive, based on internal records acquired by Reuters.

The India Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) discovered that the fuel switches were set to the shutdown position—an action usually performed following a landing—only 50 seconds into the flight as the plane ascended to 625 feet. The cockpit voice recording included one pilot questioning the other about cutting off the fuel, to which the latter responded that he didn’t do it. The switches changed positions just a second apart, approximately the amount of time needed to switch them individually.

Boeing reaffirmed the FAA's position in a latest Multi-Operator Message sent to airlines, according to sources who spoke with Reuters. Nevertheless, the initial report mentioned an FAA notice from 2018 that suggested, though didn't require, inspections of the lock system — inspections which Air India allegedly never conducted as they weren't mandatory.

Both fuel valves were discovered in the running position, showing signs that both engines tried to restart prior to the accident. Commanding pilot Sumeet Sabharwal, aged 56, had accumulated 15,638 flight hours, whereas co-pilot Clive Kunder, 32, had 3,403 hours. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB stated that the report did not include any suggested measures directed toward operators or producers of Boeing 787 aircraft engines.

In the meantime, Air India Express is under scrutiny by the authorities. European Union The Aviation Safety Authority responded following a report from Reuters stating that the airline failed to adhere to instructions for replacing engine components on an Airbus A320 within the required timeframe and altered documents to indicate adherence.

What People Are Saying

U.S. air travel specialist John Nance spoke with NBC News: Every seasoned pilot knows exactly what will occur if you switch these [controls] off. So the question I have is whether this was an unusual mental state or something intentional?

Boeing said in a statement on Saturday: We are keeping the families of the passengers and crew aboard Air India flight 171 in our thoughts, along with all those impacted on the ground in Ahmedabad. We remain committed to supporting the inquiry and our customers.

India Air stated in a release on Saturday: Air India shows support for the families and individuals impacted by the AI171 incident... We have received the initial report issued by the AAIB.

The organization stated: "Air India is collaborating with various parties, including regulatory bodies. We remain completely cooperative with the AAIB and other officials as their inquiry continues. Due to the ongoing status of the investigation, we cannot provide specifics and direct all inquiries to the AAIB."

What Happens Next

The group conducting the inquiry will keep examining further proof, documents, and data requested from involved parties.

A more comprehensive report is anticipated later this year, which may offer better insights into whether the accident was caused by pilot mistake, technical issues, or additional reasons.

Related Articles

FAA Imposes Weather-Induced Flight Suspension at LaGuardia Airport
Victims of North Carolina Airplane Accident Named: "With Heavy Hearts" Identified Victims of North Carolina Flight Disaster: "Deeply Grieved" North Carolina Aircraft Crash: Names Released for Those Lost: "Heartbroken" Report: Individuals Killed in North Carolina Plane Incident Identified; "Full of Sorrow" North Carolina Plane Crash Results in Loss of Lives: "Carrying Deep Sadness"
Fighter Aircraft Stop Airplanes Entering Trump's Restricted Flight Area Jets Halt Flights Violating Trump's Prohibited Sky Zone Military Fighters Prevent Planes from Crossing Trump's Aviation Ban Aircraft Interdict Entry into Trump-Imposed Flying Restrictions Air Force Units Block Unauthorized Flights Within Trump's Restriction Zone
Could This Be the Actual Cause Behind Southwest's Change in Boarding Procedures?

Start your unlimited trial