• India's aviation regulator has ordered inspections of fuel switches on Boeing 787 and 737 models.
• The directive follows the Air India crash, which revealed switches were turned off, leading to engine fuel starvation.
• Air India and other airlines report no issues found during recent inspections of fuel control switches.

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated an inspection of fuel control switches on several Boeing models, including the 787 and 737, after a preliminary report indicated that these switches were unintentionally flipped off in the recent Air India crash, resulting in fuel starvation to both engines. The DGCA has required airlines to complete these inspections and report findings by July 21, aiming to enhance safety in light of the recent tragedy that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad, according to Dawn and Al Jazeera.

The preliminary investigation into the June 12 crash found that the fuel control switches had shifted to the "cutoff" position just before the aircraft's descent, thereby starving the engines of fuel. Although the FAA had issued a 2018 advisory concerning these switches, it did not mandate inspections, leading to questions over compliance among operators, especially after the crash highlighted potential safety lapses. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson affirmed that all maintenance tasks had been executed properly and internal audits showed no mechanical faults or pilot error associated with the incident, reports Africa News and India Times.

In response to the heightened safety concerns, not just Air India, but multiple airlines have begun their inspections of the Boeing fuel switches, adhering closely to the DGCA's directive. Air India completed its inspection and reported "no issues found," aligning with findings from other international carriers such as Singapore Airlines, which also confirmed that their Boeing 787 aircraft operated without issues in the fuel switch area. Such proactive measures are being echoed globally, as airlines prioritize safety in their operations, according to Dawn, Al Jazeera, and Africa News.