India has ordered its airlines to check fuel cut-off switches on several Boeing models, while South Korea has announced plans to take similar action as it tightens controls on cut-off switches that have been the subject of an investigation into the tragic Air India crash.
The preventive measures by India, South Korea and some international airlines come even as the plane maker and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration have advised airlines and regulators in recent days that the fuel selector switches on Boeing planes are secure.
The castles have come under increased scrutiny following the recent Air India plane crash that killed 260 people.
According to the preliminary report, shortly after takeoff, the switches simultaneously moved from the “run” position to the “off” position. The flight recorder shows one pilot asking the other why he had cut off the fuel supply. The co-pilot responds that he had not done so, the report says.
The focus on fuel switching has been sparked by the crash of an Air India plane last month, which killed 260 people. Photo: Getty
The report cites a 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommendation that advised, but did not require, operators of several Boeing models, including the 787, to test the fuel shutoff switch interlock feature to ensure they could not be inadvertently changed.
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it had ordered inspections of interlocks on several Boeing models, including the 787 and 737, after several Indian and international airlines began initiating their own inspections of fuel cut-off switches.
The regulator oversees the world's third-largest and fastest-growing aviation market, with Boeing aircraft used by three of the country's four largest airlines.
Preventive checks
Several airlines around the world have told Reuters they have been testing the switches since 2018 in line with FAA recommendations, including Australia's Qantas Airways and Japan's ANA.
Other companies said they had carried out additional or new checks following the release of the preliminary report into the Air India crash.
Singapore Airlines said on Tuesday that preventive checks of fuel cut-off switches on Boeing 787 aircraft, including those used by its budget airline subsidiary Scoot, had confirmed they were all functioning properly.
A South Korean transport ministry spokesman said the inspections would be conducted in accordance with 2018 FAA guidelines, but no specific timeframe was given.
Flag carrier Korean Air Lines said Tuesday it has begun an early inspection of fuel control switches and will comply with any additional requirements that may be issued by the transport ministry.
Japan Airlines said it was conducting inspections in line with 2018 recommendations.
Boeing referred questions to the Federal Aviation Administration, which did not respond to a request for comment. Boeing shares closed Monday at
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