Air India on Tuesday confirmed that it has completed all Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-mandated inspections of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) locking mechanisms on its Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft, including those operated by Air India Express.
The inspections were carried out in compliance with a DGCA directive issued on July 14, following the tragic crash of a Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad last month that claimed 260 lives.
“No issues were found with the said locking mechanism,” the airline said, adding that voluntary checks had already begun on July 12, two days before the DGCA directive was issued on July 14.
“With this, the two airlines have complied with the directives of the DGCA. The same has been communicated to the regulator,” the statement further said.
The inspections were ordered following a preliminary Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report on the Ahmedabad crash that killed 260 people. The report revealed that the Boeing 787's FCS had moved to the “CUTOFF” position shortly after takeoff. The crash was linked to a 2018 US FAA directive that had not been implemented.
Air India, which operates 33 Boeing jets, and Air India Express, with 75 737s, also replaced Throttle Control Modules (TCM) across the 787 fleet in line with Boeing's guidance.
“Air India remains committed to the safety of passengers and crew members.” an Air India spokesperson said in the Tuesday statement.
Meanwhile, global carriers, including Singapore Airlines, have similarly confirmed that their Boeing 787 FCS locks are functioning properly following related US FAA advisories from 2018.
Boeing and international regulators (FAA, DGCA) maintain that the existing locking mechanisms are safe, though Indian authorities have pursued additional mandatory checks for added reassurance.
The AAIB ongoing investigation continues to probe the root cause of the Ahmedabad crash, including whether mechanical failure or human error triggered the fuel cutoff event.
While, DGCA and airlines are expected to review and bolster safety protocols globally across Boeing fleets.
According to an aviation industry analyst, Air India’s completion of these checks—without finding any issues—provides a welcome boost to public confidence in airline safety. The move also reflects proactive cooperation with regulatory authorities following aviation tragedy, even as broader investigations continue, he added.
(With inputs from Online desk)