Air India 171 Crash Probe: Did a Faulty Fuel Switch Contribute to the Tragedy?
A preliminary investigation into the devastating crash of Air India flight 171 in Ahmedabad has brought to light a potential connection to a fuel control switch malfunction, first flagged in a 2018 report. This raises serious concerns about whether previous warnings were adequately addressed.
2018 Report Highlighted Fuel Switch Locking Mechanism Issue
The report, a serviceability bulletin related to the Boeing 787 aircraft, identified a potential problem with the fuel control switch’s locking feature. While not deemed “unsafe” at the time, the report suggested further inspection. This discovery adds a critical layer to the ongoing investigation and raises questions about the airline’s maintenance protocols.
FAA Advisory and Air India’s Response Under Scrutiny
Following the 2018 report, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an advisory regarding the fuel control switch issue. However, according to the preliminary findings, Air India appears not to have carried out the recommended inspections. This lack of action is now a central focus of the investigation as authorities work to understand the full sequence of events leading to the tragic crash.
