FAA rules out Boeing fuel control unit issues in fatal Air India crash that killed 260; investigation focuses on cockpit action and switch operation
🛩️ US Aviation Authority Clears Boeing Fuel System in Air India Crash Probe
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that there is no evidence of a mechanical fault in the fuel control system of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in last month’s fatal Air India crash. The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 passengers and crew, along with 19 people on the ground, making it one of the most tragic aviation incidents in recent Indian history.
🗣️ “With a high level of confidence, we can say this doesn’t appear to be a mechanical issue with the Boeing fuel control unit,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford at an aviation event in Wisconsin, as per agency inputs.
🔧 What Did the FAA Investigate?
- FAA employees removed and tested fuel control units from similar Boeing aircraft.
- Inspectors boarded other Boeing planes to examine the function and reliability of the fuel control switches.
- The investigation focused on ensuring that no inadvertent manipulation of these switches was possible under normal flight conditions.
🗣️ “We feel very comfortable that this isn’t an issue with inadvertent manipulation of fuel control,” Bedford added.
🧪 Focus of the Crash Investigation: Fuel Control Switches
Although the mechanical systems appear to be intact, the focus of the ongoing investigation is on the fuel control switches — devices that regulate fuel flow to aircraft engines.
- These switches allow pilots to start or shut down engines and are critical during emergency situations.
- A preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed the switches flipped from “run” to “cutoff” shortly after takeoff, leading to engine power loss.
🕵️ Did the Pilot Cut Fuel Supply?
As reported by Reuters, a cockpit voice recording from the flight (en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick) indicates the captain may have cut fuel to the engines, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.
- Boeing and Air India have not publicly commented on the latest findings.
- The FAA and Boeing had earlier privately issued assurances that fuel switch locking mechanisms on Boeing aircraft remain safe and functional.
✈️ Air India’s Response and Safety Measures
In response to the incident:
- Air India has conducted precautionary checks on the fuel switch locking mechanisms of all Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft in its fleet.
- The airline reported no safety issues were found during inspections.
⚖️ Legal and Technical Implications Ongoing
While no mechanical fault has been detected, the final investigation report is still pending. Authorities are now focusing on possible pilot error, procedural gaps, or systemic oversight.
📌 Key Takeaways:
- FAA clears Boeing 787 fuel system of defects in Air India crash.
- Focus now on cockpit behavior and fuel switch operation.
- Air India has completed precautionary safety inspections.
- Boeing and the airline have not issued formal public statements.
- Preliminary data suggests fuel switches may have been manually set to cutoff.
Inputs as per official statements and agency sources.
Also Read : Air India Crash Theory Challenged: Expert Debunks ‘Deliberate Sabotage’ Claim with Math
