**Air India Inspects Boeing Fleet After Crash Investigation**
Air India announced on Tuesday that initial inspections revealed no problems with the locking mechanism of fuel control switches on certain Boeing aircraft. This statement comes in the wake of a preliminary investigation into last month’s tragic Air India plane crash, where the switches reportedly shifted and flipped within seconds, leading to both engines being deprived of fuel.
The airline operates a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners for long-haul flights, while its subsidiary, Air India Express, utilizes Boeing 737 jets for shorter routes. Following the crash, Air India conducted thorough inspections of its entire fleet of both aircraft types. “In the inspections, no issues were found with the said locking mechanism,” the airline stated.
The investigation, led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, focuses on the fuel control switches of the Boeing 787 involved in the crash that occurred on June 12 in Ahmedabad, resulting in the loss of 260 lives, with only one survivor. Last week, India’s aviation regulator mandated that all airlines operating various Boeing models examine their fuel control switches and report their findings by July 21.
Air India has 33 Dreamliners and Air India Express operates 75 Boeing 737 jets. Recently, the airline has faced service disruptions due to increased scrutiny and additional safety inspections, leading to flight delays and cancellations, which have raised passenger concerns.
In a separate incident on Monday, an Air India Airbus A320 veered off the runway while landing in heavy rain at Mumbai International Airport, causing partial damage to one of the engines and temporarily closing the runway. Fortunately, all passengers and crew disembarked safely, and the aircraft was grounded for checks.
Additionally, on Tuesday, an Air India flight from Hong Kong experienced a fire in its auxiliary power unit while passengers were disembarking in New Delhi. The airline confirmed that the auxiliary power unit was automatically shut down as designed, and while there was some damage to the aircraft, all passengers and crew were safe.
In 2022, Indian conglomerate Tata Sons acquired Air India, marking a return to private ownership for the airline after decades of government control. The $2.4 billion deal aimed to revitalize the struggling national carrier, which was originally founded by the Tata family in 1932. Since the acquisition, Air India has placed orders for hundreds of new aircraft worth over $70 billion, revamped its branding, and integrated smaller airlines in which Tata held stakes.
**FAQ**
**What measures is Air India taking following the recent crash?**
Air India is conducting thorough inspections of its Boeing fleet, focusing on the fuel control switches, and has reported no issues with the locking mechanisms after preliminary checks.
