South Korea Follows UAE; Orders Fuel Checks On Boeing Jets After Preliminary Report Of Air India Crash Raises Concerns

Seoul: After the deadly crash of Air India Flight AI-171, South Korea instructed all domestic airlines operating Boeing aircraft to carry out urgent checks on fuel switch locks, a component, which is now under intense scrutiny after its mention in the preliminary crash report.

The move mirrors the steps taken by Etihad Airways, amid growing concerns in the world over potential risks flagged in a 2018 aviation advisory.

The June crash of the London-bound Boeing 787-8 killed 241 of the 242 passengers onboard and gained international attention after investigators referenced an older Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory about possible issues with fuel switch locking mechanisms.

While the South Korean transport ministry did not set a deadline, it confirmed that checks would follow FAA guidelines issued in 2018.

Checks Begin After Report Cites FAA Warning

The spotlight on fuel switch components comes after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary findings referenced the FAA bulletin, a detail now rippling across aviation regulators worldwide. Boeing, responding to queries, redirected all questions to the FAA, which has not yet commented publicly.

A South Korean transport ministry spokesperson said that the checks were precautionary and in accordance with global safety standards. Etihad Airways has already begun inspecting its fleet of Boeing jets in line with the same advisory.

Air India Probe Ongoing

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, in an internal memo on Monday, July 14, warned against speculations and premature assumptions about the cause of the fatal crash. "The investigation is far from over, and it is unwise to jump to conclusions at this stage,” he said, in response to media reports linking the crash to fuel system components.

The crash has led to increased regulatory vigilance and a growing consensus among global aviation bodies that older safety advisories may warrant fresh enforcement amid evolving operational realities.