【By Observer News, Deng Jun; Editor: Zhao Qiankun】

After India's aviation accident investigation mentioned Boeing aircraft fuel switches, many countries' airlines have initiated enhanced inspections of fuel switches for multiple Boeing aircraft models.

According to reports from Reuters and The Times of India, after many airlines began conducting their own checks on the fuel switch locking mechanisms, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India also ordered all domestic Indian airlines to conduct emergency inspections of the fuel switches and their locking systems on various Boeing aircraft models they operate.

The preliminary report from India's Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau stated that in the crash of an Indian passenger aircraft, the fuel switch of the involved aircraft switched from "run" to "off" before the crash, causing the engine fuel supply to be cut off. The report also revealed that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a notice in 2018 recommending that operators of Boeing 787 and other models check the fuel switch locking function to prevent unintended movement.

According to The Times of India, the emergency inspection required by DGCA involves Boeing 787, 747, and 737 models, with operators including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, among other Indian airlines.

Reuters reported that on July 11, the FAA issued an airworthiness notice stating that the agency did not believe it necessary to issue airworthiness directives related to fuel switches for all Boeing aircraft models. Boeing also did not recommend that airlines take action regarding the fuel switches.

Alaska Airlines stated that it had not yet received guidance from Boeing and had not taken any action. Southwest Airlines said that it had completed the relevant checks in 2018 and would maintain contact with the FAA and Boeing, taking additional measures if necessary.

Observer News learned from multiple sources at Chinese airlines that no notification has been received from the China Civil Aviation Administration regarding emergency inspections of fuel switches and their locking systems on related Boeing aircraft models.

Arab News reported that although some Western media have claimed that Boeing's fuel switch lock design is safe, several countries' airlines have started their own inspections in case of emergencies. Some airlines said they have been checking the relevant switches since 2018 according to the FAA's recommendations. Others said they have been conducting additional or new inspections since the release of the preliminary report on the Indian airline crash.

Singapore Airlines stated that it has completed preventive inspections of the fuel switches on its Singapore Airlines and low-cost carrier Scoot's Boeing 787 fleet, confirming that all equipment is operating normally. Lufthansa Group stated that it had inspected the fuel switches on its Boeing 787 aircraft after the FAA issued its 2018 recommendations, and re-inspected them after the Indian airline crash, finding no issues so far.

The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that it had required Korean airlines to inspect the fuel control switches on their aircraft based on the FAA's 2018 recommendations. Korean Air stated that it had proactively initiated the inspection. Japan's two major airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines, also stated that they are conducting inspections based on the FAA's 2018 recommendations.

According to a Bloomberg report, several Middle Eastern airlines have also begun inspecting their Boeing fleets. Oman Air stated that it has completed the fuel switch inspections on about 12 Boeing 787s and is currently inspecting its Boeing 737 fleet.

Reuters cited informed sources who said that the Air India Group had started inspecting the fuel switch locking mechanisms on its 787 and 737 fleets in early July. On July 14, the CEO of Air India, Campbell Wilson, stated in an internal memo that the preliminary report did not find any mechanical or maintenance faults, and all necessary maintenance work had been completed.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer News. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7529487715780280872/

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