ETIHAD Airlines Becomes First To Issue ‘Fuel Switch’ Advisory To Pilots In View Of AI-171 Crash

Etihad Issues Advisory: Etihad has released a bulletin, which states that the pilots are to "exercise caution when operating the fuel control switches or any other switches/controls in their vicinity" in the view of AI 171 crash.

What Did The Airline Say?

Further, the airline has said that this measure is being taken "out of an abundance of caution". The publication further said that there is a separate bulletin from Etihad, which mandates the inspections of the complete Boeing 787 fleet for the fuel control locking mechanism, and there is a detailed guide for engineers to confirm proper engagement of this component.

Moreover, the pilots are also directed to avoid placing objects on the pedestal to avoid accidental movements, and are ordered the crew onboard to report anything unusual.

This directive came on the day of a preliminary probe on the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad was released, which revealed that both fuel switches on the flight flipped from the 'RUN' to the 'CUTOFF' positions shortly after take-off.

Examination Of Fuel Control Switches

South Korea is planning a similar move for all the airlines operating Boeing aircraft. The country is also planning to order all its airlines to examine the fuel control switches.

Additionally, Etihad Airways has also ordered an investigation into how these fuel control switches operate.

What Did FAA And Boeing Say?

This is happening because there was a notification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing which said that the fuel control switches on its planes, including 787, were not safe.

"Although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787," the notification to Civil Aviation Authorities, said.

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