British regulator flagged safety risks in 787 Dreamliner’s fuel shutoff valves ahead of fatal Ahmedabad accident; Air India did not act on optional FAA inspection advisory.
New Delhi: 15 July 2025
New evidence confirms that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) put out a safety notice on May 15, 2015 just weeks before the June 12 Air India crash about the potential for unintentional engine fuel cutoff in Boeing 787 aircraft. The CAA indication followed a U.S. FAA airworthiness alert and instructed airlines to conduct daily checks of fuel control switches on multiple Boeing models, including the Dreamliner.
The revelation casts a harsh spotlight on maintenance oversight, as India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has confirmed that the fatal Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad occurred after both engines lost power due to the fuel switches unexpectedly shifting to the “cutoff” position during takeoff.
While previous FAA guidance provided for optional inspections of the switch locking mechanism, it appears Air India chose to not included this in their maintenance policy. The aircraft had throttle control module swaps in 2019 and 2023 but did not inspect for this issue.
735G requires an inspection, but after the crash has also highlighted different international regulatory responses. The UK took a precautionary response and made it compulsory for airlines to check their locking mechanism switches on a daily basis- while the FAA’s guidance document allowed for a voluntary inspection.
Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO, has urged caution in naming blame until the report is completed, but the incident is backed in globe to debate the question of airline compliance and the urgency of the safety of airlines taking action on advisories- especially when lives are at stake.
Also Read: Haryana Witnesses First Eicher Hands-On Training at MERI SET, Powered by ASDC
