In the wake of the tragic June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI 171, which preliminary reports tied to a sudden shutdown of both Boeing 787 engines due to fuel control switches moving to “CUTOFF,” airlines and regulators worldwide have acted swiftly. Today, Air India and multiple international carriers confirmed that comprehensive inspections of Boeing 787 fuel-switch mechanisms have revealed no defects, while Boeing and the FAA maintain these systems remain safe .
✅ Air India’s Clearance
- Air India completed inspections of all 33 of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, focusing on the locking mechanisms of fuel control switches. No issues were found
- Each aircraft underwent throttle control module replacements per Boeing’s schedule—these include the fuel-control system—to ensure consistency across the fleet
🌐 International Airlines Echo Similar Findings
Major global carriers including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Korean Air, and Etihad also conducted perhaps Boeing-led precautionary checks, and none reported faults . South Korea has gone further, issuing a directive to inspect fuel-switch mechanisms across its Boeing fleet .
🛡️ Boeing & FAA Support System Integrity
- The U.S. FAA issued a Continued Airworthiness Notification on July 11, affirming that Boeing’s fuel-switch design (including its locking safeguard) is not considered an unsafe condition, and no airworthiness directive is warranted The
- Boeing conveyed this stance to airlines through a multi-operator message, stating no action or retrofit is recommended .
🔍 Why This Matters
Fuel control switches on Boeing aircraft are designed with a lock-and-guard mechanism beneath the throttle levers to prevent inadvertent shutdowns. Despite this, the AI 171 crash report revealed both switches moved to “CUTOFF” almost simultaneously moments after takeoff, leading to total engine failure .
Even though mechanical faults have been ruled out so far, investigators are exploring human factors, cockpit ergonomics, or possible design refinements. Airlines have also reassured crews to stay vigilant and log any anomalies via existing reporting systems .