Air India Crash Probe: Fuel Control Switch Cleared, Thrust Module Examination Continues

New Delhi — Investigators examining the Air India Boeing Dreamliner that crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport have found no fault in the aircraft’s fuel control switch locking mechanism, the government informed Parliament on Wednesday.

The aircraft, which went down just 35 seconds after departure on June 12 last year, resulted in the deaths of 260 people, both on board and on the ground. The fuel control switch has now undergone detailed inspection, including checks of its locking detents and structural integrity, with no abnormality detected so far.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Rajya Sabha that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had ordered advanced testing of the component as part of ongoing airworthiness checks after the aircraft type was grounded in February this year.

"The inspection of the fuel control switch, including the structural integrity of its locking detents, found no abnormality," Mohol said, citing the findings of the examination.

However, the investigation into the aircraft’s complete thrust control module is still underway at the facility of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in Seattle. Authorities are awaiting the results of the detailed inspection before drawing further conclusions.

The minister also rejected claims that the final report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been delayed. He said investigations into major aviation accidents are complex and involve multiple stages, with the probe into the AI-171 crash now in its final phase.

"All probable causes and contributing factors leading to the accident are being investigated," Mohol said in Parliament.

The government assured that the final investigation report, containing the complete findings and conclusions of the probe, will be made public and uploaded on the AAIB website after the investigation is completed.

With inputs from IANS