Air India Completes Inspection of Fuel Switches in Boeing Jets After AI 171 Crash
Air India has finished checking the fuel control switches on its Boeing 787 aircraft following the AI 171 crash. No issues were found during the inspections. Pilots are urged to report any defects in the technical log as usual.

Air India has completed running checks on the locking mechanism of the 'fuel control switch' (FCS) on all its Boeing 787 aircraft and found nothing wrong with them. The airline informed pilots that all Boeing 787-8 aircraft have undergone throttle control module (TCM) replacement as per the Boeing maintenance schedule, with the FCS being part of this module. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had directed Indian operators to check the FCS on certain Boeing aircraft, including some models of the B737s and all B787 Dreamliners. Air India's engineering team conducted precautionary inspections on the locking mechanism of FCS on all Boeing 787 aircraft over the weekend, and no issues were found. The airline has complied with the DGCA directives issued on Monday (July 14). Pilots were advised to remain vigilant and report any defects in the technical log as per the existing reporting process.
The AAIB preliminary report into the crash of AI 171 has been criticized for suggesting a 'suicide theory,' which pilots strongly oppose. They urge against drawing hasty conclusions from the AAIB preliminary report, citing a recent incident with a Japanese airline where a Dreamliner experienced twin engine failure post landing without the pilots changing the position of FSC from run to cutoff. Pilots emphasize that twin engine failure can occur due to various reasons and that the FCS switch can toggle without human intervention. They find it unacceptable for the AAIB report to cast doubts on the pilots who cannot defend themselves.
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