Etihad Airways has instructed its pilots to use the utmost care when using fuel switches on its Boeing 787s. The action comes on the back of India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report into the fatal June 13 Air India crash at Ahmedabad.
In the report, both engine fuel switches had switched from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' within seconds after take-off, resulting in a dual-engine failure that proved disastrous.
Etihad Airways has also initiated its investigation of the operation of these fuel switches, while Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintain there is no design defect.
On July 12, on the same day when the Air India crash investigation report was released, Etihad Airways issued a bulletin to its pilots. The airline requested them to "exercise caution when operating the fuel control switches or any other switches/controls in their vicinity." This advisory is to avoid accidental contact with important switches.
Additionally, Etihad instructed a technical inquiry to discover how such fuel switches are functioning. The engineering department of the airline will now examine locking devices on fuel control switches in its Boeing 787 fleet. The new instruction has a detailed checklist for engineers to ensure engagement of the locking feature.
Etihad also instructed pilots not to put things on the pedestal, the space around the fuel switches. The airline wishes to minimize the potential for unintentional movement. It has also requested that all flight staff report anything out of the ordinary about the controls when in flight.
Notwithstanding the recent Air India accident, neither the FAA nor Boeing has deemed the fuel switch design to be dangerous. In a letter to world civil aviation authorities, the FAA wrote that it would not approve an Airworthiness Directive.
The agency explained that the design of the switch and its locking mechanism are common to numerous Boeing models, including the 787.
The AAIB's interim report on the June 13 crash is a chilling one. The Boeing 787 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 260 individuals—241 of them on board. Just seconds from take-off, both engine fuel control switches were flipped from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF'. The engines failed nearly at the same time.
The cockpit voice recorder recorded a short argument between the pilots. One inquired, "Why did you cut off?", to which the other pilot replied, "I didn't."
Etihad's move underscores a worry that is sweeping the aviation sector. While regulators rule out a design flaw, airlines are not leaving anything to chance. The technical checks and caution advisory are geared towards avoiding another catastrophe, even as investigations are ongoing.
