Two days after the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a mandatory inspection of engine fuel switches on all affected aircraft registered in India by July 21, 2025.
Moreover, directions have been issued regarding mandatory modifications for aircraft, engines, and components based on airworthiness directives issued by the state of design or manufacture.
The decisions came over a month after the deadly aviation disaster in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed over 240 people. AAIB's report said that the aircraft had reached a maximum speed of 180 knots indicated airspeed (IAS) at 08:08:42 UTC, just before both engine fuel cutoff switches moved from "run" to "cutoff", effectively shutting down both engines in-flight.
The tragic incident led to heightened scrutiny for the fuel control system's design, though both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing maintain it is safe.
As per reports, the list of select aircraft includes Boeing Company aircraft models, including the 737 and 787 Dreamliner (787-8/9/10) series, citing a potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature.
About The Crash Report
In its preliminary 15-page report, AAIB mentioned that the engine fuel control switches of the plane were cut off seconds after the lift off, with one of the pilots asking the other why he cut off, and the latter responding saying he did not do.
Here we have the highlights of the report.
230 passengers and 12 crew members were onboard the aircraft. Fifteen passengers were in business class and 215 passengers, including two infants, in economy class.
2. 54,200 kilograms of fuel onboard; aircraft's take off weight of 2,13,401 kgs within permissible limits. No 'Dangerous Goods' were in the aircraft.
3. The Air India aircraft lifted off at 08:08:39 UTC (13:08:39 IST) engine fuel control switches turned off with a time gap of 1 second. The switches were turned on later.
4. At about 08:09:05 UTC (13:09:05 hours IST), one of the pilots transmitted 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY'. Air Traffic Controller enquired about the call sign but did not get any response and saw aircraft crashing outside airport boundary.
5. At about 08:09:05 UTC (13:09:05 hours IST), one of the pilots transmitted 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY'. Air Traffic Controller enquired about the call sign but did not get any response and saw aircraft crashing outside airport boundary.
6. Wreckage site activities, including drone photography/videography completed; wreckage moved to a secure area near the airport.
7. Both engines were retrieved and quarantined at a hangar in the airport.
8. Fuel samples taken from bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft were tested at DGCA's Lab and found satisfactory.
9. At this stage of the investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers.
10. Additional details are being gathered based on the initial leads.
11. The investigation team will review and examine additional evidence, records and information that is being sought from stakeholders.
