Following the tragic plane crash in India’s Gujarat state that killed 260 people, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive safety initiative. According to India Today, the DGCA has issued a directive for a detailed inspection of the fuel valves (switches) on all Boeing 787 and 737 passenger aircraft operating in the country.
To Be Completed by 21 July
Inspections of the aircrafts’ fuel systems must be completed by 21 July 2025. This step comes after the release of a preliminary investigation report into the crash. The report revealed that shortly after takeoff, fuel flow to both engines of the aircraft was suddenly cut off, causing the plane to lose all thrust and crash.
Air India Flight 171: The Minutes Leading to Disaster
The ill-fated Air India Flight 171 had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on the morning of 12 June, en route to London Gatwick Airport in the UK. However, just seconds after takeoff, the plane crashed into Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar district, resulting in a major tragedy.
All 260 people on board were killed in the crash. While technical and criminal investigations are still ongoing, aviation safety authorities are now also conducting fresh risk assessments of the technical infrastructure of Boeing aircraft.
