Air India clears Boeing fuel switch after grounding; regulator backs training
Air India clears Boeing fuel switch after grounding; regulator backs training
Air India says fuel switches are safe after inspections on 33 787s; regulator highlights training amid past crash investigations.
Air India has completed inspections of fuel control switches on its 33 Boeing 787 jets after a pilot reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch on a Dreamliner that was grounded earlier this week. The airline said independent inspections by the regulator were also conducted and subsequently cleared the fuel switch, with safety remaining Air India's highest priority.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) noted that the incident on Monday, from a London to Bengaluru flight, was caused by incorrect handling of the fuel switch rather than a mechanical fault. The agency urged the airline to reinforce crew training on Boeing's recommended procedures to ensure proper operation during start-up and fuel management.
The backdrop to these inspections is last year’s fatal crash of a 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India near Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people. While the crash’s preliminary report raised questions about fuel supply to the engines, officials stated that there were no issues with the locking feature on the fuel control switches after an earlier inspection. Two major Indian pilots’ associations, along with the father of one of the deceased pilots, have rejected suggestions that human error caused the crash. Air India emphasized that the checks found no issues and that independent regulator reviews had cleared the equipment, reinforcing its commitment to passenger and crew safety.
