The Crossbill News Desk
A detailed examination of the fuel control switch locking mechanism on Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft has found “no abnormality”, the government told Parliament, amid continued scrutiny of the system following the crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad.
The assessment was carried out by Boeing after an Air India pilot reported a possible issue with the mechanism following a London Heathrow-Bengaluru flight in February this year.
The testing was ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as part of continuing airworthiness checks after the aircraft type was grounded in February, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in the Rajya Sabha.
The fuel control switch has come under heightened scrutiny since Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 flying to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12. The accident killed 260 people and led to multiple investigations into the aircraft and its systems.
Responding to questions during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the government said the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) conducted advanced testing of the fuel control switch, NDTV reported.
A detailed examination, including checks of the structural integrity of its locking detents, "found no abnormality," Mohol said.
"Inspection of the complete Thrust Control Module at the OEM's facility is underway," Mohol said, quoting the findings.
While the fuel control switch has so far not been found to have any defect, the examination of the complete thrust control module remains in progress at Boeing's facility in Seattle. Investigators are expected to take into account the findings of the ongoing inspection as the probe into the Ahmedabad crash moves forward.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation also rejected suggestions that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had delayed the final report into the crash. The government said investigations into major air accidents are complex and do not operate according to a predetermined timeline, adding that the AI171 inquiry has entered its final stages.
"All probable causes and contributing factors leading to the accident are being investigated," the minister said in the House.
The government said the AAIB's final report would contain the findings of the investigation and would be made public and uploaded on the bureau's website after the inquiry is completed.
Until then, the ongoing examination of the aircraft's systems and other possible contributing factors remains central to establishing the cause of one of India's deadliest aviation disasters.
The assessment was carried out by Boeing after an Air India pilot reported a possible issue with the mechanism following a London Heathrow-Bengaluru flight in February this year.
The testing was ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as part of continuing airworthiness checks after the aircraft type was grounded in February, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in the Rajya Sabha.
The fuel control switch has come under heightened scrutiny since Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 flying to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12. The accident killed 260 people and led to multiple investigations into the aircraft and its systems.
Responding to questions during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the government said the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) conducted advanced testing of the fuel control switch, NDTV reported.
A detailed examination, including checks of the structural integrity of its locking detents, "found no abnormality," Mohol said.
"Inspection of the complete Thrust Control Module at the OEM's facility is underway," Mohol said, quoting the findings.
While the fuel control switch has so far not been found to have any defect, the examination of the complete thrust control module remains in progress at Boeing's facility in Seattle. Investigators are expected to take into account the findings of the ongoing inspection as the probe into the Ahmedabad crash moves forward.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation also rejected suggestions that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had delayed the final report into the crash. The government said investigations into major air accidents are complex and do not operate according to a predetermined timeline, adding that the AI171 inquiry has entered its final stages.
"All probable causes and contributing factors leading to the accident are being investigated," the minister said in the House.
The government said the AAIB's final report would contain the findings of the investigation and would be made public and uploaded on the bureau's website after the inquiry is completed.
Until then, the ongoing examination of the aircraft's systems and other possible contributing factors remains central to establishing the cause of one of India's deadliest aviation disasters.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment