Now Reading: India Orders Airlines to Check Fuel Switches on Boeing Jets
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India Orders Airlines to Check Fuel Switches on Boeing Jets
The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a mandatory directive on July 14, 2025, ordering all airlines to inspect fuel switch systems on Boeing 737 and 787 jets following a tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787 on June 18, which claimed 260 lives.
The accident, near Mumbai, involved a fuel line failure during takeoff, prompting a month-long investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which identified faulty switches as a potential cause. The order affects 120 aircraft operated by Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, requiring checks within 72 hours.
The directive mandates replacement of defective components, with Boeing providing technical support and spare parts, though delays are expected due to global supply chain issues. The crash, India’s deadliest in a decade, led to a 10% drop in airline stocks, with Air India’s market value falling $300 million.
Families demand accountability, while the DGCA vows stricter oversight, referencing a 2021 Boeing alert on similar issues. The move aims to restore public confidence, with initial inspections revealing 15% of switches non-compliant, per preliminary reports.
