DGCA to Mandate Fuel Switch Checks on Boeing 787s After Air India Crash
New Delhi, 14th July 2025: In the wake of the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is preparing to issue a directive to all airlines operating Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to inspect the locking mechanism of their fuel control switches.
AAIB Report Flags Fuel Switch Malfunction
The AAIB’s initial investigation revealed a critical issue: both fuel control switches, which regulate the flow of fuel to the aircraft’s engines, had shifted from the “run” to the “cutoff” position—effectively turning off fuel supply to both engines. Investigators believe this may have directly caused the aircraft’s failure.
According to DGCA sources, a formal directive is expected soon, mandating the inspection of the locking mechanism in all Boeing 787 aircraft operated by Indian carriers. The move aims to prevent any recurrence of such incidents and enhance operational safety.
Global Airlines Begin Voluntary Inspections
Even before the DGCA’s official order, international carriers such as Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines have already begun reviewing their Boeing 787 fleets.
Etihad issued a technical bulletin on July 13, directing engineers to inspect the fuel control switches and advising pilots to exercise additional caution. Singapore Airlines has also initiated internal checks following the AAIB report’s release.
The preliminary AAIB findings were made public during the night of July 11–12, triggering a wave of concern across the global aviation sector about the reliability of fuel control systems in the Dreamliner fleet.
Past FAA Warning Resurfaces
The current concerns echo a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on December 17, 2018. The bulletin had flagged potential faults in the locking mechanism of fuel control switches in various Boeing aircraft models, including the 787. However, the advisory was non-binding, and airlines were not required to act upon it.
The urgency around the issue was heightened by details in the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the ill-fated Air India flight. In the recording, one pilot reportedly asked, “Why did you turn off the fuel?” to which the other replied, “I did not.” This exchange suggests a possible technical failure, rather than human error, in the switch mechanism.
Increased Scrutiny Ahead
The DGCA has already increased surveillance of Boeing 787 operations in India, and the forthcoming instruction will serve as an additional precaution. Aviation experts view the regulator’s proactive approach as essential in restoring public confidence and ensuring aircraft safety.
As of now, no timeline has been confirmed for the inspections, but industry insiders expect the process to begin immediately upon issuance of the official directive.
