No defect found in fuel control switch of Air India plane, thrust control module being examined: Govt
New Delhi, July 29
Investigators have found no abnormality in the fuel control switch locking mechanism of the Air India Boeing Dreamliner that crashed just 35 seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on June 12 last year, killing 260 people on board and on the ground, the government said on Wednesday.
The government informed the Parliament that the control switch was taken up for advanced testing by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The response comes amid a crucial examination of the complete thrust control module that is still underway in Seattle.
Responding to questions in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the tests were ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as part of continuing airworthiness checks after the aircraft type was grounded in February this year.
A detailed examination of the fuel control switch, including the structural integrity of its locking detents, "found no abnormality", he said.
"Inspection of the complete Thrust Control Module at the OEM's facility is underway," Mohol said, quoting the findings.
While the fuel control switch has been cleared of any defect so far, the examination of the complete thrust control module is still underway, with investigators awaiting the outcome of the ongoing inspection.
The minister also told the Parliament that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) final report has not been delayed, maintaining that investigations into major air crashes are an evolving process and that the AI-171 flight crash probe is now in its final stages.
The government also dismissed suggestions that the AAIB had delayed its final report on the accident, saying that investigations into major air crashes do not follow a fixed timeline and that the inquiry is progressing in accordance with established investigation procedures.
"All probable causes and contributing factors leading to the accident are being investigated," the minister said in the House.
The government said the final investigation report, containing all findings of the probe, will be made public and uploaded on the AAIB's website once the investigation is completed.
— IANS
Reader Comments
So the fuel control switch has no defect, but the thrust control module testing is still going on? This feels like a slow process. Families of the victims have been waiting almost a year for closure. I also wonder about the Boeing Dreamliner's overall safety record — maybe some systemic issues need to be looked at globally. India should push for more stringent checks on all 787s operating here.
Good to see the government taking this seriously and updating Parliament. But I wish the AAIB would give periodic updates to the public rather than keeping everything under wraps until the final report. 35 seconds after takeoff is terrifyingly quick — makes you think about all the safety redundancies that should have kicked in. Hope the Seattle examination finds something concrete.
Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. 'No abnormality found' in the fuel control switch after such a catastrophic crash? That seems odd. Either the testing wasn't thorough enough, or the root cause lies elsewhere. I hope DGCA and the OEM are not just protecting their own interests. The families deserve the truth, not just reassuring statements. We need to hold Boeing accountable too.
Sab theek hai, but yaar, it's been over a year and still no conclusive answer? 😤 The minister says the investigation is 'evolving' – but for 260 people who died, this should be the highest priority. I'm happy they're checking the thrust control module in Seattle, but why did it take so long? We need faster action, not just statements in Parliament.
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