DGCA orders airlines to carry out inspection on Boeing aircraft | Mint

India’s aviation regulator on Monday asked airlines to inspect fuel control switches on certain Boeing aircraft as directed by the US regulator earlier, after the recent crash report of an Air India flight put the spotlight on the device. The directive will require local carriers Air India, Air India Express and SpiceJet to inspect around 94 aircraft within a week.

In 2018, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a document mentioning the potential for disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature, which affects around 26 Boeing models. On Monday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) drew airlines’ attention to the document, called Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) 2018.

“It has come to the notice of DGCA that several operators – internationally as well as domestic – have initiated inspection on their aircraft fleet as per the SAIB NM-18-33 dated 17th December 2018. In the view of above, all airline operators of the affected aircraft are hereby advised to complete the inspection required under SAIB NM-18-33, no later than 21st July 2025,” DGCA said.

Crash report

On Friday night, India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report on the 12 June crash of AI-171. The report highlighted total power loss as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off; the position of the fuel supply switch was changed from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’ and back to the ‘run’ position. The aircraft crashed within a minute of departing from Ahmedabad for London, killing 260 people, including passengers and people on the ground.

So far, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and the South Korean aviation regulator have ordered the inspection of fuel switches on their Boeing fleets.

“This order is based on an advisory bulletin issued in 2018. Since other airlines have initiated inspection, DGCA has issued this circular. However, when the preliminary report had identified this issue, DGCA should have issued this as a preventive advisory,” said Amit Singh, chief executive officer (CEO) of Safety Matters and a former pilot.

Around 33 B787-8 and B787-9 aircraft of Air India; 26 B737-800 aircraft of Air India Express; and around 35 737‑700/‑800/‑900 ER aircraft are expected to go under inspection as per the DGCA order. IndiGo, India’s largest airline, operates an all-Airbus fleet.

AI CEO’s request

On Monday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson requested employees not to draw premature conclusions, as the investigation is far from over. In an internal note, Wilson said the preliminary report did not find any issues with engines or the aircraft.

“The preliminary report found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft or engines, and that all mandatory maintenance tasks had been completed. There was no issue with the quality of fuel and no abnormality with the take-off roll,” Wilson wrote in an internal note, seen by Mint.

He added that the pilots had passed their mandatory pre-flight breathalyzer tests and there were no observations pertaining to their medical status.

Wilson also said every Boeing 787 in its fleet was checked within days of the accident and all found fit for service. “We continue to perform all necessary checks, as we will any new ones that authorities may suggest,” he added.

Pilots’ view

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) expressed disappointment on speculation around ‘reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide’. “There is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage, and invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible, it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved,” ICPA said in a statement.

ICPA added that until the official investigation is concluded and the final report published, any speculation especially of such a grave nature is unacceptable and must be condemned. “The crew of AI-171 acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions. They deserve support, not vilification based on conjecture,” said ICPA.

The SAIB is valid for Model 717-200 airplanes; Model 737-700, -700C, -800 and -900ER series airplanes; Model 737-8 and -9 airplanes; Model 747-400, -400D, -400F, -8 and -8F series airplanes; Model 757-200, -200CB, -200PF and -300 series airplanes; Model 767-200, -300,300F, -400ER and -2C series airplanes; Model 787-8, -9 and -10 airplanes; Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes.