Air India Completes Fuel Control Switch Checks ; No Faults Found
Air India Clears Fuel Switch Checks on Boeing Jets After DGCA Directive
Air India on Tuesday confirmed the completion of precautionary checks on the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanism across its entire fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 737 aircraft, including those operated by its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express.
These inspections follow a DGCA directive dated July 14, 2025, which required Indian carriers to assess the integrity of the FCS systems. The directive was issued after a preliminary AAIB report linked the manual shutdown of fuel switches to a tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad that claimed 260 lives.
In a statement, Air India said:
“Air India has completed precautionary inspections on the locking mechanism of Fuel Control Switch (FCS) on all Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet. No issues were found with the said locking mechanism.”
Interestingly, the inspections began voluntarily on July 12, two days before the DGCA’s mandate. The airline completed the process within the stipulated timeline and formally notified the regulator.
The checks are part of a nationwide compliance effort affecting over 150 Boeing aircraft across Indian carriers including SpiceJet, Akasa Air, IndiGo, and both Air India brands. Even leased Boeing aircraft under IndiGo’s wet/damp agreements are subject to review.
Safety First: A Unified Aviation Response
India’s aviation sector is acting swiftly in response to the AAIB's alarming early findings. The collaboration between airlines and the DGCA signals increased focus on flight safety protocols, especially concerning critical in-flight control systems.