The Indian government has confirmed that no defects were discovered in the fuel control switch locking mechanism of the Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which was grounded earlier this year. This announcement was made during a recent session in Parliament. The aircraft was temporarily taken out of service after the pilot of the London-Bengaluru flight (AI 132) reported a potential issue with the fuel control switch.

Fuel control switches play a crucial role in regulating the flow of fuel to an aircraft’s engines. The government has stated that an inspection of the aircraft’s entire thrust control module is currently ongoing at a Boeing facility. In their response to Parliament, officials noted, “A detailed examination of the fuel control switch, including the structural integrity of its detents, was carried out and no abnormalities were observed.” This news aims to alleviate concerns regarding the safety of this aircraft model.

The incident occurred on February 1, when the aircraft took off from London and landed safely in Bengaluru. However, upon landing, the pilot reported a suspicion of a fault concerning the left engine’s fuel control switch. According to the pilot’s report, the fuel switch failed to secure itself into the ‘run’ position even after two attempts, moving instead towards the ‘cutoff’ position if pushed down slightly. Fortunately, the third attempt was successful, allowing the flight crew to complete their journey without incident.

Link to Previous Incident Involving AI 171 Crash

On June 12, a similar Boeing 787 model, operating as flight AI 171, tragically crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off, resulting in the deaths of 260 individuals. This flight was en route to London when it lost power shortly after departure and subsequently crashed into a medical college hostel near the airport.

A preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicated that both fuel switches on AI 171 switched from the “run” position to “cutoff” almost simultaneously during ascent. This severed fuel supply to both engines, which directly contributed to the crash. While the report highlighted this critical failure, it did not clarify whether it stemmed from a mechanical fault or other causes. Notably, an exchange between the pilots raised questions about the fuel supply, with one asking why the other had “cut off” the fuel supply, to which the other replied that he had not done so.

In the wake of the crash, Air India conducted an investigation into the locking mechanisms of the fuel control switches across its fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft. The airline reported that this inquiry did not reveal any issues with the switches. The final investigative report pinpointing the causes of the crash is anticipated by the end of October.

Government Response to Investigation Delays

The Indian government addressed concerns regarding delays in releasing the final report on the AI 171 crash during its parliamentary session. They stated that thorough investigations into significant aviation accidents cannot adhere to a predetermined timeline. The complexities surrounding such severe incidents necessitate a flexible approach. The government remarked that, “The timeline for a major accident investigation cannot be predicted, as it depends on multiple factors and is an evolving process involving various variables.” This highlights the intricate nature of aviation investigations and the necessity for diligence in arriving at accurate conclusions.

Overall, the findings regarding the fuel control switch have provided some reassurance to the airline and regulatory bodies, particularly in light of previous incidents. The measures being taken by Air India and regulatory agencies underscore the priority placed on aviation safety and operational integrity.

As investigations continue, both the airline and the government are dedicated to ensuring public confidence in air travel, striving to prevent any recurrence of such tragic events.

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