FAA and Boeing Reaffirm Fuel Switch Safety After Air India Crash Probe
Following concerns raised by a preliminary report on the Air India Boeing 787-8 crash, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have privately notified stakeholders that fuel switch locks on Boeing planes are safe.
FAA's Assessment
The FAA's notification, issued on July 11, explicitly stated that the fuel control switch design does not present an unsafe condition. This conclusion implies that an Airworthiness Directive is unnecessary.
Boeing's Confirmation
Boeing reinforced this assessment in a Multi-Operator-Message to airlines, advising that no action is needed, effectively echoing the FAA's position.
Details from the Crash Investigation
The Air India crash investigation report cited a 2018 FAA advisory recommending inspections of the fuel cutoff switch locking feature. Reportedly, Air India did not implement these suggested inspections.
Maintenance History
Maintenance records indicate that the throttle control module, inclusive of the fuel switches, was replaced on the aircraft involved in the crash in both 2019 and 2023.
ALPA India's Response
ALPA India has refuted any suggestions of pilot error, advocating for a comprehensive and fact-based inquiry into the accident.
