Air India announced on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, that it completed precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanisms on its Boeing 787 and 737 fleets, finding no issues. The inspections, mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on July 14, followed a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8, which killed 241 of 242 passengers and 19 on the ground after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June Ascertain.

The AAIB report indicated that the fuel supply to both engines was cut off within a second of each other, causing cockpit confusion. Air India, which began voluntary inspections on July 12, confirmed compliance with the DGCA’s deadline of July 21. The airline, part of the Tata Group, operates 33 Boeing 787s, while its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, operates around 75 Boeing 737s. Other Indian carriers, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, also operate these aircraft types, with over 150 Boeing 737s and 787s in service domestically.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had flagged potential FCS disengagement risks in 2018 via a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, though no mandatory action was required. The AAIB report referenced this but made no specific recommendations. Cockpit voice recordings revealed one pilot questioning the other about the fuel cutoff, with the latter denying responsibility. Air India’s successful inspections confirm the integrity of its fleet’s fuel systems, addressing concerns raised by the crash investigation.

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