MBABANE – Airlines operating Boeing aircraft across Asia have begun inspecting fuel switch locks after a fatal Air India crash claimed 260 lives last month.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation ordered mandatory checks on Boeing models, including the 787 Dreamliner and 737 series, following revelations in a preliminary crash report. South Korea also confirmed it would introduce similar safety checks.
The Air India investigation discovered the fuel switches shifted from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’ moments after takeoff, despite no mechanical issues being found during maintenance. Cockpit recordings captured one pilot questioning the other on why the fuel was cut off, but the colleague denied doing so.
Although the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assured operators that Boeing’s fuel switch locks are safe, the tragedy has prompted multiple airlines to proceed with independent inspections. The FAA previously issued a 2018 advisory urging regular checks on the locking mechanisms, but it was not a compulsory mandate.
Australia’s Qantas, Japan’s All Nippon Airways, and Singapore Airlines have all reported completing their own precautionary inspections. South Korea’s national carrier, Korean Air, started voluntary checks this week while awaiting formal instructions from the country’s transport ministry.
Closer to home, Air India commenced its internal review, inspecting nearly all its 737s and half of its 787 fleet. No faults were identified, according to sources linked to the inspection process.
Boeing, which has not been directed to issue new safety instructions, has redirected inquiries to the FAA. Despite the scrutiny, Boeing’s share price rose slightly on Monday, bolstered by the absence of fresh warnings in the crash report.
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