Air India Inspections Clear Fuel Switch Issues After Fatal Crash

Air India's recent inspections following a catastrophic crash revealed no problems with the fuel switch mechanisms, while authorities continue to probe the tragic event that killed 260.

Air India has announced that comprehensive inspections of its fleet of Boeing aircraft have concluded without uncovering any issues with the fuel switch locking mechanisms. This announcement follows the tragic crash that occurred last month, which claimed the lives of 260 individuals, including 19 on the ground, when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed moments after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India.

The focus of the ongoing investigation has been the fuel control switches, crucial components that manage the supply of fuel to the plane's engines. Preliminary reports from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau indicate that the switches had unexpectedly shifted from the "RUN" position to "CUTOFF" shortly before the aircraft lost altitude. Experts believe that this movement was likely due to human involvement, given their design which is meant to prevent accidental adjustments.

In response to the disaster, Indian regulators mandated inspections of all Boeing aircraft operated by local airlines. Air India, the country's flagship carrier, confirmed in a statement that it had performed precautionary checks on the locking mechanisms of the fuel switches, stating, “In the inspections, no issues were found with the said locking mechanism.”

The crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12 unfolded rapidly: the pilots were heard in an audio exchange regarding the fuel cutoff, with one pilot expressing confusion over the action. Attempts to restore fuel approximately 10 seconds after the cutoff were unsuccessful, leading to the aircraft's fatal descent.

The investigation is expected to take a significant amount of time, with safety experts analyzing the factors that contributed to this heartbreaking incident. Mujib Mashal contributed reporting from New Delhi, and Jenny Gross is a Times reporter focused on breaking news and significant events.