Fuel control switches, a key element in the probe into the June 12 Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, were flagged as a potential issue by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seven years ago on Boeing airplanes.
Air India told the probe team that it did not carry out the suggested inspections because these were advisory and not mandatory.
The particular plane, the VT-ANB, had a clean maintenance record since 2023, as per details in the preliminary report that came out on Saturday. All required inspections were current, and the aircraft had valid airworthiness certificates, the report said.
What US FAA flagged in Boeing planes
As for the particular issue, here’s the breakdown:
- It was in 2018 that the US FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin responds to the #AAIBReport on last month’s Air India crash, stating it is based on preliminary findings. He urges the public to avoid conclusions until the final report is released.#AirIndiaCrash… pic.twitter.com/7MW95CH6GB- All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts)
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London from Ahmedabad was involved in the world’s deadliest aviation accident in a decade on June 12. Both engines of the plane shut down one second apart shortly after takeoff. Investigators have ruled out any bird strike or external damage, though the cause of the fuel cutoff remains under investigation.