Airlines check fuel locking mechanism in Boeing aircraft

After the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report into the fatal Air India crash was made public last week, airlines have started checking the locking mechanism in the fuel switches of Boeing 787 aircraft.

- 

The initial report into the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad mentioned about fuel cutoff to both engines shortly after takeoff, leading to the deadly crash. Experts have already said the locking feature of the switches may have malfunctioned.

The AAIB report also said there was no “recommended action” for either Boeing, the maker of the aircraft, or GE, the engine manufacturer, at this time.

Etihad Airways has now asked its engineers to inspect the locking mechanism of the fuel control switches in the B-787 aircraft, asking them to be careful while operating the switches.

In its safety circular or “standard work package” for its engineering team, Etihad Airways asked them to fully inspect the fuel control switch locking feature for “proper engagement”.

“Attempt to gently move (without applying excessive force) the Left (L) fuel control switch on the PIO Control Stand from 'CUTOFF' to 'RUN' without lifting the switch,” the circular said. “If the switch cannot be moved without lifting, the locking feature is functional. No further action is required. Proceed to the next step,” it added.