India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has mandated inspections of the fuel switch locking systems on Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft by July 21, following a preliminary report into the June 12 Air India Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260 people. The report revealed that fuel supply to both engines was cut off within a second of each other, causing cockpit confusion shortly after takeoff.

The DGCA’s directive aligns with a 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB NM-18-33), which flagged potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking mechanism in several Boeing models, including the 787 and 737. Although not deemed a critical safety issue at the time, the recent crash prompted global and domestic airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, to initiate inspections.

The DGCA order requires operators to complete inspections by the deadline and submit plans and reports to its office and regional branches. Fuel control switches, critical for regulating engine fuel flow, are designed with locks to prevent accidental movement. The Air India crash report noted a pilot’s query about the switches being cut off, with the co-pilot denying action, though the cause—human error or mechanical failure—remains unclear.

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This move underscores heightened safety scrutiny, with airlines like Etihad already advising caution and inspections. The DGCA emphasized strict adherence to ensure airworthiness and prevent future incidents.

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