Following AAIB’s report on the Ahmedabad crash of Air India’s Boeing 787, the airline has replaced the throttle control module (TCM), which includes fuel control switches. The TCM was earlier replaced in 2019 and 2023 under Boeing’s directive. While AAIB linked the crash to fuel switch triggers, Air India stated the TCM change wasn't related.
-1752479824631_d.png "Following Boeing’s directive, Air India replaces module in cockpit of crashed Dreamliner")
Representational Image. File Pic
Soon after AAIB report on the Ahmedabad plane crash, which indicated triggering the fuel switch before the crash. Air India has now replaced the Throttle Control Module (TCM) of the crashed Boeing 787-8 plane. They have replaced the TCM twice in the last six years following a directive from Boeing in 2019, according to sources.
As reported by PTI, the TCM includes fuel control switches, which have come into focus in the ongoing probe into the fatal crash, as these switches were cut off immediately after takeoff of the ill-fated London-bound Dreamliner VT-ANB that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12.
The replacement of the Throttle Control Module was done twice, in 2019 and 2023. The report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) mentioned that the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad happened because of fuel switch triggers. While changing the TCM, Air India said the TCM replacement was not linked to the fuel control switches, as cited by PTI.
Furthermore, one of the sources said on Sunday that a revised maintenance planning document (MPD) was also issued by Boeing for all the operators of the Dreamliners in 2019.
As per the MPD, various aircraft operators have to change the TCM, which includes the fuel control switches, every 24,000 flight hours, the sources said, as per PTI.
The source also asserted that, since 2019, Air India has changed the TCM in the ill-fated aircraft twice—in 2019 and 2023.
However, the specific details of the maintenance planning document could not be immediately ascertained.
Responding to the situation, in a statement, an Air India spokesperson said the airline is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators, on Monday, as per PTI.
The Air India spokesperson highlighted that "We continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses. Given the active nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment on specific details and refer all such enquiries to the AAIB." On Sunday, Air India did not offer any comments.”
In response to questions sent to Boeing, a company spokesperson on Sunday referred to its statement issued on Saturday, saying it will continue to support the investigation and Air India.
"We will defer to the AAIB to provide information about AI171, in adherence with the UN International Civil Aviation Organisation protocol known as Annex 13," the spokesperson said in the emailed statement, as per PTI.
Earlier the AAIB, in its report on Saturday, said that at this stage of investigation, "there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers."
Air India's Dreamliner VT-ANB, which crashed on June 12, was powered by GEnx-1B engines. According to the report, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin on December 17, 2018, regarding the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature.
The report indicated that "This SAIB was issued based on reports from operators of Model 737 aeroplanes that the fuel control switches were installed with the locking feature disengaged. The airworthiness concern was not considered an unsafe condition that would warrant an airworthiness directive by the FAA."
AAIB also said the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing aeroplane models, including part number 4TL837-3D, which is fitted in B787-8 aircraft VT-ANB.
"As per the information from Air India, the suggested inspections were not carried out, as the SAIB was advisory and not mandatory. The scrutiny of maintenance records revealed that the throttle control module was replaced on VT-ANB in 2019 and 2023.
The report also said, "However, the reason for the replacement was not linked to the fuel control switch. There has been no defect reported pertaining to the fuel control switch since 2023 on VT-ANB, "as per PTI.
After being in cutoff mode, the fuel control switches of the aircraft's two engines were turned on later, but the London-bound aircraft could not get enough thrust and altitude before it crashed into a building in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.
(With PTI Inputs)
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