Aviation Authority says fuel switches are safe

The US aviation regulator said the fuel control switches on Boeing’s planes were safe after reporting on a fatal Air India crash that killed 260 people in June.

Switch safety has become a key problem after a Preliminary report The disaster was released by investigators on Friday.

This report states that the fuel of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is cut off after take-off from Ahmedabad airport and pointed out past FAA reports that suggest that the switches should be inspected for safety.

In an email seen by the BBC, Air India’s CEO warned not to skip “Premature conclusions” after the report was published.

Disaster associated with London associated with London Flight 171 It has been one of the biggest aviation incidents worldwide for almost a decade.

The switches controlling the flow of fuel to the jet engines were moved from “running” to the cutting position, making it difficult to thrust the aircraft, according to the preliminary report, which was published by the branch for investigation of accidents in India (AAIB).

Investigators referred to FAA consultant for 2018, who called – but did not execute – Boeing Models operators to check the locking function of fuel switches to ensure that they cannot be moved by accident.

This step was not taken by Air India, Aaib said in its early discoveries.

The US Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday told the civil aviation authorities that it had seen AAIB’s preliminary report.

He noted that his own consultant for 2018 “was based on reports that fuel control switches were installed with the locking function” – but added that he did not believe that this makes the aircraft dangerous.

“Although the design of the fuel control switch, including the lock feature, is similar to different Boeing models, the FAA does not consider this problem a dangerous condition, which would guarantee a directive of a flywheel to any Boeing plane, including the 787 model,” says the organ, in an internal note, shared with BBC.

“The FAA will continue to share the relevant information with the foreign civil aviation authorities as appropriate.”

Aaib who reviewed Restored voice records on the cockpitHe reported that one pilot could be heard during the flight asking the other why he cuts the fuel.

“The other pilot replied that he had not done it,” the report said.

Investigators said the fuel switches had almost simultaneously transferred from running to cut off immediately after departure. The report did not say how the switches could turn during the flight.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson warned of “premature conclusions” about the cause of the accident in an email to the staff seen by the BBC.

He said there was “a continuing cycle of theories, accusations, rumors and sensational titles”, which has appeared in the last month, many of which have later been denied.

The report, he emphasized, did not establish any reason for the accident and neither made any recommendations.

“The investigation is far from over,” he said.

“We will continue to cooperate with investigators to ensure that they have everything they need to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation.

D -n Wilson said the report “did not find any problems with mechanical or maintenance with the aircraft or engines”, adding that all the necessary checks were carried out before the flight.

Nevertheless, additional inspections were carried out in the 787 Air India fleets within days of the incident of “an abundance of caution.” Everyone has been found to be fit for service, he said.

The Air India 171 flight was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad to India to the London Airport Gatwick.

The plane crashed into a medical college near the airport within a minute after the take -off, killing 260 people who are mostly passengers. A British national survived The crash.

Investigators are expected to submit a more reported report for 12 months.