South Korea To Inspect Boeing Jets Over Fuel Switches After Air India Crash Report

Last Updated:July 14, 2025, 16:43 IST

The South Korean govt said the planned inspections are in line with a 2018 safety advisory issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration

US planemaker Boeing has said it was ready to support Air India following the crash.  (Representational image)

South Korea is preparing to instruct all domestic airlines operating Boeing aircraft to carry out inspections of fuel switch mechanisms, which are at the centre of an investigation into the deadly Air India crash last month that killed 260 people, including 241 onboard.

The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said the planned inspections are in line with a 2018 safety advisory issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), news agency Reuters reported.

While the advisory recommended checks on certain Boeing models, including the 787, it did not make them mandatory. The ministry did not confirm when inspections would begin but said they are taking the matter seriously.

The focus on fuel switch locks emerged after the FAA advisory was mentioned in a preliminary report into the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8. According to the report, both engine fuel switches were found in the “off" position after the crash. This raised questions about whether the switches could have been accidentally moved during flight.

Although Boeing and the FAA have reportedly told airlines and regulators that the fuel switch systems are safe and do not require additional checks, South Korea has decided to act out of caution.

The preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) noted that Air India had not performed the optional inspections suggested by the FAA in 2018. However, maintenance records showed that the throttle control module — which includes the fuel switches — had been replaced in 2019 and again in 2023.

The AAIB report did not assign blame or draw final conclusions. It mentioned a cockpit exchange where one pilot questioned the other about cutting fuel supply, to which the response was a denial. No further cockpit conversation was disclosed.

On Monday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated that the aircraft had no mechanical or maintenance faults, and all necessary checks had been completed. He urged against speculation, saying the investigation remains ongoing and no cause has yet been officially determined.

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News world South Korea To Inspect Boeing Jets Over Fuel Switches After Air India Crash Report