India to monitor Boeing fuel-switch test after Air India London incident

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is taking a proactive stance in monitoring Boeing's testing of a critical fuel-control switch panel. This move, driven by a February incident on an Air India 787 where pilots reported the switches not remaining fixed, underscores India's commitment to aviation safety. The DGCA's insistence on observing the tests in Seattle, described as "sensitive," highlights the regulator's heightened concern, particularly in light of the tragic Air India 787 crash in Gujarat last June. While Boeing has stated the module is "serviceable," the DGCA's involvement signals a desire for absolute certainty, especially given the scrutiny on these switches after the preliminary crash report indicated they may have been shut off simultaneously. This situation reflects India's growing assertiveness in overseeing aviation standards, ensuring that safety protocols are rigorously upheld for its national carriers.

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As “the ​matter is sensitive in nature, Air India is hereby directed to ensure that the strip/test examination at OEM’s (Boeing) premises is carried out in the presence of a DGCA officer,”