The FAA has affirmed the safety of Boeing's fuel control switches, even as investigations into the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash continue.
FAA Declares Boeing Fuel Switches Safe Amid Air India Crash Investigation
FAA Declares Boeing Fuel Switches Safe Amid Air India Crash Investigation
US aviation authorities respond to safety concerns following the fatal Air India incident.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reiterated that Boeing's fuel control switches are safe to use, despite concerns arising from the recent Air India Flight 171 crash that claimed the lives of 260 people in June. The inquiry into the catastrophe, which involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, has intensified following a preliminary report revealing that the aircraft's fuel supply was abruptly cut off shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.
The crash, which had victims both onboard and on the ground, raises significant questions regarding the design and operational safety of aircraft fuel systems. The AAIB (India Aircraft Accident Investigation Branch) found that the fuel switches transitioned from "run" to "cut-off" shortly after take-off, severely diminishing the plane's thrust. This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent years, as it involved the loss of 240 lives on the aircraft and 20 more on the ground.
In light of the preliminary findings, the FAA reminded aviation operators of a 2018 advisory that, while not mandatory, recommended inspections of Boeing's fuel cut-off switch locking feature to prevent accidental movements. However, the FAA stands firm that it does not regard these switches as unsafe, arguing that similar designs across different Boeing models do not present a risk that would require an Airworthiness Directive.
The AAIB reported that cockpit voice recordings exhibit one pilot questioning his colleague about the fuel cut-off, to which the other pilot claimed he hadn't executed the action, heightening the mystery surrounding the crash. Investigators observed that the switches flipped simultaneously shortly after take-off, although the exact circumstances surrounding this switch activity remain unclear.
As the investigation continues, a more comprehensive report is expected in approximately 12 months, delving deeper into the factors that led to this tragic event.
