Following Boeing’s instruction in 2019, Air India changed the throttle control module (TCM) of the crashed Boeing 787-8 aircraft twice in the last six years.
The TCM includes fuel control switches, which have come to notice in the ongoing investigation of this deadly accident, as the switch was cut soon after the Dreamliner VT-ANB-going to London, which crashed in Ahmedabad on 12 June.
In the preliminary investigation report of the aircraft accident investigation bureau (AAIB) released on Saturday, TCM has been mentioned twice in 2019 and 2023. It also states that TCM replacing fuel had no relation with control switch.
A source told PTI on Sunday that Boeing had released a revised maintenance plan document (MPD) for all the operators of Dreamliner in 2019. Sources said that according to MPD, operators would have to change TCM every 24,000 flight hours, including fuel control switch.
The source said that since 2019, when MPD was released, Air India changed TCM twice in unfortunate aircraft – in 2019 and 2023. M.P.D. The specific details of the specific details could not be found immediately.
In a statement on Monday, an Air India spokesperson said that the airline is working closely with stakeholders including regulators. It said, “We will continue to cooperate with AAIB and other authorities in their investigation.”
The spokesman said, “Given the active nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment on specific details and are sending all such inquiry to AAIB.”
Air India did not comment on Sunday.
Explain that in response to the questions sent to Boeing, the company spokesperson cited his statement released on Saturday, saying that it will continue to support the investigation and Air India.
In compliance with the statement sent by email, the spokesperson said in a statement sent by email, in compliance with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, known as Annex 13, will force AAIB to provide information about AL 171. “
AAIB said in its report on Saturday that in this stage of investigation, “B787-8 and/or GENX-1B is no recommended action for engine operators and manufacturers”.
The Dreamliner VT-ANB of Air India, which crashed on 12 June, had a Genx-1B engine. According to the report, FAA issued a special flight qualification information bulletin on December 17, 2018 regarding possible disintegration of fuel control switch locking facility.
It said, “This SAIB model 737 was released based on the reports of the operators of 737 aircraft that fuel control switches were installed without locking facility. Flight qualification concerns were not considered an unprotected situation that requires FAA to issue flight qualification instructions.”
AAIB also stated that fuel control switch design, including locking feature, is the same on various Boeing aircraft models, including part number 4tl837-3D, which is installed in the B787-8 aircraft VT-Anb.
According to information received from Air India, suggested inspections were not conducted as SAIB was a consultant and was not mandatory. Investigation of the maintenance records revealed that the throttle control module on VT-ANB was replaced in 2019 and 2023.
“However, the reason for replacement was not linked to the fuel control switch. VT-Anb has no defects related to the fuel control switch on the VT-ANB since 2023.”
The fuel control switch of the two engines of the aircraft was later turned on after being in cut-off mode, but the aircraft going to London could not achieve enough speed and height, causing a building in Ahmedabad to kill 260 people.
