TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from India: Jansatta, The Lallantop.
UK coverage: The Guardian.

In a significant move affecting aviation safety standards, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated an exhaustive inspection of fuel control switches across all Boeing aircraft registered in the country. This directive emanates from the preliminary findings of the Air India flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, which tragically claimed 260 lives in June. The crash investigation, spearheaded by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), pointed towards a dire situation where both engines were starved of fuel due to the inadvertent positioning of the fuel control switches from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’ shortly after takeoff.

The DGCA’s order encompasses a wide array of Boeing models operated by Indian airlines, notably excluding the Boeing 777 planes from this scrutiny. Airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, which operate the Boeing 787 and various versions of the 737, are under the scanner. This inspection initiative also extends its reach beyond Indian borders, including airlines in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, marking a global concern over the safety of Boeing’s fuel control mechanisms.

Fuel control switches, essential for regulating fuel flow to aircraft engines, are designed with safety in mind, requiring specific actions to switch between ‘run’ and ‘cutoff’ positions. Despite their critical function and the safeguards in place, the AAIB’s investigation into the Ahmedabad crash has stirred a debate on their reliability, with some experts questioning the possibility of such switches moving inadvertently.

In response to the DGCA’s directive, Air India has proactively inspected half of its 33 Dreamliner aircraft, with Air India Express also completing checks on its fleet, both reporting no faults. This comprehensive inspection drive is in alignment with a 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bulletin, emphasizing the importance of regular checks on these switches.

The ongoing investigation into the Air India crash has ignited a spectrum of theories ranging from pilot error, sabotage, to mechanical faults in the fuel control system. Amidst this, the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association has criticized the speculation of pilot suicide as irresponsible, urging for a cautious approach towards drawing conclusions. The aviation community awaits further developments as the AAIB continues its investigation, hoping for clarity and measures that can prevent such tragedies in the future.