Air India completes Boeing inspections post Ahmedabad crash

Air India has successfully completed precautionary inspections of the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) locking mechanism across its entire fleet of Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The comprehensive checks were carried out following a tragic crash last month and in adherence to a safety directive issued by India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). An Air India spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that "no issues were found with the said locking mechanism during the inspections," and the findings have been communicated to the regulator.

The directive from the DGCA, issued on July 14, mandated these inspections across all relevant aircraft, including those operated by Air India's low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express. The move comes in the wake of the catastrophic incident on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into a hostel building shortly after takeoff. The crash tragically claimed 260 lives, including 241 onboard and 19 on the ground, leaving only one survivor. A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) indicated that the fuel control switches for both engines moved from 'run' to 'cutoff' shortly after takeoff, leading to a loss of thrust.

Air India stated that it had initiated these voluntary inspections on July 12, even prior to the official DGCA directive, and completed them within the prescribed timeline. The airline reiterated its unwavering commitment to aviation safety, asserting the continued airworthiness of its aircraft. While the cause of the Ahmedabad crash remains under active investigation by the AAIB, with international agencies also assisting, the completed inspections provide an initial assessment of a critical component that came under scrutiny in the preliminary findings.