South Korea to inspect Boeing fuel switches after tragic Air India AI171 crash
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) is set to instruct all airlines operating Boeing jets in the country to check fuel switches after safety concerns were raised following the deadly crash of Air India flight AI171, a spokesperson for the ministry has announced.
According to a Reuters report, published on July 14, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has advised, but not required, operators of various Boeing models, including the 787, to inspect the locking mechanism of the fuel cut-off switches to ensure they cannot be accidentally moved.
The directive issued by South Korea’s ministry followed the publication of a preliminary investigation report into the fatal crash of Air India flight AI171, which was released on July 12, 2025. The investigation found that the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches were moved to a “cutoff” position moments before impact.
The initial report did not clarify how the fuel control switches could have moved to that position during the flight, but some speculative reports have suggested that either intentional or unintentional pilot error may have led to the crash.
Based on the preliminary report, investigators found no existing defects in the aircraft engines or fuel control switches.
However, the report noted that the switches on the aircraft involved in the crash have design similarities with components mentioned in a 2018 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, which warned of potential disengagement of the locking feature on fuel control switches on Boeing aircraft.
The FAA did not categorize this issue as an unsafe condition and thus did not issue an airworthiness directive. Consequently, Air India confirmed it had not conducted the suggested inspections, as the bulletin was advisory and not mandatory.
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The post South Korea to inspect Boeing fuel switches after tragic Air India AI171 crash appeared first on AeroTime.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) is set to instruct all airlines operating Boeing jets…
The post South Korea to inspect Boeing fuel switches after tragic Air India AI171 crash appeared first on AeroTime.