Air India finds no issues with Boeing fuel control switches following post-Ahmedabad crash inspections

Air India has announced the successful completion of precautionary inspections on the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) locking mechanism across its entire fleet of Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline confirmed on Tuesday that "no issues were found with the said locking mechanism" during these crucial checks, which were prompted by a tragic air crash last month and a subsequent directive from India's aviation regulator.

The comprehensive inspections were initiated in the wake of the catastrophic June 12, 2025, incident, when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating a flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff. The disaster claimed 271 lives, including 241 onboard and 30 on the ground, making it one of India's worst aviation accidents in decades. A preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 12 revealed that the aircraft's fuel control switches were found in a 'cut-off' position, leading to a loss of thrust.

Following the AAIB's findings, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory on July 14, mandating all relevant Indian operators, including Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express, to conduct immediate checks on the fuel switch locking systems. Air India stated that it had voluntarily commenced these inspections on July 12, even before the DGCA's directive, and completed them within the stipulated timeframe. The airline has communicated its findings to the regulator, reiterating its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of passenger and crew safety.