Etihad Airways, the leading airline of Abu Dhabi, has instructed its pilots to use fuel control switch very carefully during flight in Boeing 787 aircraft. Along with this, the airline has also issued an order to check the locking system of these switches.

The move has been taken after the preliminary investigation report of India’s Air India flight AI 171 crash, fearing that the AI 171 may have opened the lock of the fuel control switch during the flight, which stopped the engine. However, the technical flaw has not yet been officially confirmed and the investigation is on.

FAA’s 2018 alert again in discussion
Following the AI 171 incident, the US Aviation Agency FAA has reminded airlines from all over the world of an old safety alert released in 2018. This alert was associated with this possible flaw, in which the lock of the fuel switch of the Boeing 787 aircraft could unknowingly open.

Special instructions given to pilots
According to the information received, Etihad has asked the pilots in a notice issued on July 12 to conduct the fuel control switch or any switch around it very carefully. Do not keep any item like bags, water bottles etc. near the switches, so that there is a risk of pressing the button by mistake. If there is any disturbance, then report it immediately.

Engineers also order to investigate
The engineering department of the airline has been instructed to thoroughly examine the fuel switch locking mechanism in all Boeing 787 aircraft. If needed, the thrust control module (important part related to the engine) should also be changed.

Precautionary steps for safety
The airline has clarified that this entire process is being adopted as a precautionary measure. The investigation of AI 171 is still going on, but keeping in mind the possible threat, Etihad has taken this decision keeping security paramount. The airline has a clear message that the pilot carefully run the switch, the unusual situation immediately explain and the engineer make sure that each system is functioning correctly.

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