Air India announces inspections reveal no issues with fuel control switches

In the aftermath of a tragic plane crash in India on June 12, 2025, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives, Air India has acted swiftly to ensure the safety of its aircraft. On July 12, 2025, the airline began precautionary inspections on the fuel control switch locking mechanisms across its entire fleet of Boeing 787 and 737 aircraft. This decision came after investigations revealed that the fuel control switches on the crashed Boeing 787 had flipped from 'run' to 'cutoff' just after takeoff, leading to fuel starvation in both engines. The inspections, which were confirmed on July 22, 2025, found no issues with the locking mechanisms, according to Air India. Following the crash, India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been conducting an extensive probe to understand the circumstances surrounding the accident. The AAIB expects to deliver a final report within a year. Preliminary findings indicated that the engines lost power shortly after takeoff, raising crucial concerns regarding the functionality of the fuel switches. On top of that, a 2018 advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that operators of several Boeing models, including the 787, needed to inspect the locking mechanisms to prevent unintended movement. Air India, which operates a fleet of 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 75 Boeing 737 jets through its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express, was proactive in its approach by suspending operations until inspections were completed. The airline had also submitted its findings to India's aviation regulator, which had mandated similar checks across all domestic carriers operating specific Boeing models, urging them to submit their results promptly. Consequently, various foreign airlines decided to follow suit in performing their evaluations. In the context of financial turmoil, Air India faced numerous operational disruptions, including flight delays and cancellations, which resulted from the heightened scrutiny and increased safety inspections following the crash. The airline, which was recently acquired by Indian conglomerate Tata Sons in 2022, has committed to significant investments in new aircraft and infrastructure improvements to modernize its fleet and enhance passenger safety. The airline is working hard to regain trust and confidence among its passengers and to improve its overall service quality as it moves forward from this tragic event.