'Strict adherence essential...': DGCA's urgent call for Indian Boeing operators after AAIB report

India's civil aviation regulator, DGCA issued urgent directive for Indian operators of Boeing aircraft. DGCA, on July 14, mandated operators to conduct inspections of engine fuel control switch locking mechanisms. Indian Operators of specific Boeing aircraft models are required to conduct the inspection by July 21. This move came days after AAIB released its preliminary report on crash of Air India’s AI 171 in Ahmedabad. Directive enforces compliance with FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin NM-18-33, issued in December 2018. Which warned of potential disengagement of fuel control switch locking feature in operators of Model 737 airplanes. AAIB mentioned in its report that Air India did not comply with FAA’s advisory, as it was not a mandate. The fuel control switch design – including locking feature –shared across several Boeing aircraft families. Boeing aircraft families sharing the feature include 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, and 787, the report said. All affected operators to submit their reports to DGCA and the relevant regional officer within the timeframe.