Air India has successfully completed precautionary inspections on the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanisms across all Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet. According to the airline, no problems were found during the checks, which were carried out in accordance with safety guidelines issued by India&rsquo;s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
In an official statement, the airline said, &ldquo;Air India has completed precautionary inspections on the locking mechanism of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) on all Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet.&rdquo;
These inspections follow a tragic Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad last month, which claimed 260 lives. A preliminary investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that the aircraft&rsquo;s engines had shut down seconds after take-off due to a disruption in fuel supply. This raised concerns about the functionality of the engine fuel cut-off switches, which reportedly shifted from the &lsquo;Run&rsquo; to &lsquo;Cutoff&rsquo; position unexpectedly.
In response to the DGCA&rsquo;s safety directive issued on July 14, both Air India and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, promptly initiated voluntary inspections. These began on July 12 and were completed within the regulator's designated timeline.
&ldquo;No issues were found with the locking mechanism. Air India began voluntary inspections on July 12 and completed them within the time frame prescribed by DGCA. This has been communicated to the regulator,&rdquo; the statement added.
Air India also confirmed that the Boeing 737 aircraft inspected are part of the Air India Express fleet. Both airlines have now formally notified the DGCA, indicating full compliance with the safety directive.
The airline reiterated its commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating, &ldquo;Air India remains fully dedicated to ensuring the safety of its passengers and crew members.&rdquo;
In the meantime, several international airlines, including Emirates, are conducting similar precautionary checks on their Boeing aircraft. Although the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not issued a new airworthiness directive, it has reassured global aviation authorities that the design of the fuel control switch is safe. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

Air India Clears Fuel Checks on Boeing Fleet

No issues found in Air India's fuel switch inspections after tragic Ahmedabad crash

Air India Clears Fuel Checks on Boeing Fleet

No issues found in Air India's fuel switch inspections after tragic Ahmedabad crash

July 22, 2025 | 20:02 IST