SAFETY OVERHAUL ON DECK: Global Regulators Launch Sweeping Checks After Air India 171, Angara Airlines, and Potomac Disasters

The catastrophic crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025, which killed 260 people just 32 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, has triggered a global reckoning in aviation safety. The preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released on July 8, 2025, revealed that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s fuel control switches were inexplicably moved to the “CUTOFF” position, starving the engines and causing the aircraft to plummet into a medical college hostel. This tragedy, coupled with eerie similarities to recent crashes involving Angara Airlines and Potomac Airways, has prompted regulators worldwide to initiate sweeping safety inspections, focusing on fuel system integrity, maintenance protocols, and regulatory oversight. The aviation industry, still reeling from these disasters, faces mounting pressure to address systemic flaws before another catastrophe strikes.

Air India Flight 171: A Catalyst for Change

Air India Flight 171, bound for London Gatwick, was airborne for less than a minute when both General Electric GEnx-1B engines lost power. The AAIB’s preliminary report detailed a chilling sequence: just three seconds after reaching a peak airspeed of 180 knots, both fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within a second of each other, leading to a total loss of thrust. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” with the other denying responsibility, deepening the mystery. Despite attempts to restore power, the aircraft crashed, killing 241 passengers and crew and 19 on the ground, with only one survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh.

The report highlighted a 2018 US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advisory warning of potential flaws in the fuel control switch locking mechanism on some Boeing aircraft, including the 787-8. Although not mandatory, the advisory recommended inspections that Air India did not perform. Following the crash, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered immediate inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, focusing on fuel-parameter monitoring, electronic engine control systems, and oil-system checks. By July 26, 2025, Air India completed voluntary inspections on its 787 and 737 fleets, reporting no issues with the locking mechanisms.

The DGCA’s response was swift but not isolated. The crash exposed vulnerabilities in maintenance practices and regulatory oversight, prompting global regulators to act. On July 14, 2025, the DGCA mandated urgent checks on fuel control switch locks for Boeing 787s and select 737s across Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, with a deadline of July 21. This move followed reports that airlines like Etihad, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines had already begun similar inspections, spurred by the Air India findings and the 2018 FAA advisory.

Echoes of Angara Airlines and Potomac Disasters

The Air India 171 crash is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern seen in recent aviation disasters, notably those involving Angara Airlines and Potomac Airways. While specific details about these crashes are limited, posts on X and industry reports suggest parallels with Air India 171, particularly in the sudden loss of engine power and questions about fuel system reliability. The Angara Airlines crash, involving an Antonov An-24 in Siberia, was attributed to a fuel delivery failure, with investigators pointing to inadequate maintenance and outdated safety protocols. Similarly, the Potomac Airways incident, a regional crash in the United States, raised concerns about fuel system malfunctions and lax regulatory oversight, though exact causes remain under investigation.

These incidents have amplified calls for a global safety overhaul. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and national regulators, including the FAA, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and DGCA, are now coordinating to standardize inspections of fuel control systems across Boeing fleets. The focus is on ensuring that locking mechanisms, designed to prevent accidental switch movement, are functioning correctly. Experts like Shawn Pruchnicki have raised concerns about whether these switches could inadvertently disengage, a scenario that could have catastrophic consequences if not addressed.

Global Regulatory Response and Industry Impact

The Air India 171 crash has exposed systemic issues in aviation safety, prompting regulators to tighten oversight. The DGCA’s crackdown, including mandatory engine checks and operational inspections, revealed irregularities in Air India’s flight time limitations, highlighting broader oversight failures. Other regulators have followed suit. The FAA, already under scrutiny after Boeing’s 737 Max crises, is collaborating with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist India’s investigation while reviewing its own oversight of Boeing’s fuel systems. EASA has mandated inspections for European carriers operating Boeing 787s, citing the need to prevent similar incidents.

The global response mirrors actions taken after past disasters. For instance, the 2010 Air India Express Flight 1344 crash in Kozhikode and the 2020 runway overrun incident exposed gaps in India’s safety culture, leading to temporary fleet inspections. However, the scale of the current overhaul is unprecedented, driven by the high-profile nature of the Air India crash and its parallels with Angara and Potomac. Airlines worldwide are now conducting one-time checks on takeoff parameters and power assurance systems, with some, like Air India, facing potential delays on long-haul routes due to extended turnaround times.

Boeing, already grappling with a tarnished safety record after the 737 Max crashes and a 2024 Alaska Airlines incident, faces renewed scrutiny. The company has pledged full cooperation with the AAIB, with CEO Kelly Ortberg emphasizing support for the investigation. However, posts on X reflect public frustration, with some calling for airlines to cancel Boeing orders and for greater accountability from the manufacturer. Critics argue that Boeing’s failure to mandate inspections after the 2018 advisory may have contributed to the Air India crash, though the company maintains that no systemic issues have been identified.

Challenges and Criticisms

The investigations into Air India 171, Angara Airlines, and Potomac Airways have faced criticism for their pace and transparency. The AAIB’s selective disclosure of cockpit voice recorder (CVR) details, withholding full transcripts, has fueled speculation and distrust. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association and ALPA India have condemned media reports, particularly from The Wall Street Journal, for suggesting pilot error without evidence, echoing similar controversies surrounding the Angara and Potomac crashes. The lack of an autonomous oversight body in India, unlike the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest between the AAIB and DGCA.

Staffing shortages at the AAIB, noted in the 2020 Kozhikode investigation, may also delay the Air India 171 probe, with a final report not expected until June 2026. Similar delays have been reported in the Angara and Potomac investigations, frustrating families and industry stakeholders. Experts like Peter Goelz, a former NTSB managing director, have called for cockpit video to clarify pilot actions, a measure not currently implemented in commercial aviation.

The Path to Safer Skies

The Air India 171 crash, alongside the Angara and Potomac disasters, has underscored the fragility of aviation safety in an era of rapid industry growth. India, now the third-largest passenger aviation market, operates over 1,288 aircraft, with projections to exceed 2,000 by 2030. This expansion has strained regulatory resources, with budget cuts to India’s civil aviation ministry exacerbating oversight challenges. Globally, the pressure to scale operations while maintaining safety has led to calls for a new model of regulation—one that prioritizes proactive inspections, real-time data monitoring, and international collaboration.

For Air India, the crash threatens its transformation under Tata Group ownership, which aimed to modernize the airline and compete globally. The establishment of the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust and compensation payments of ₹10 million per victim reflect efforts to rebuild trust, but the airline’s reputation hinges on the investigation’s outcome. Similarly, the Angara and Potomac crashes have prompted regional carriers to reassess maintenance practices, with Russia and the US implementing stricter fuel system checks.

The global aviation community now faces a critical juncture. The lessons from Air India 171, Angara Airlines, and Potomac Airways must drive reforms to prevent future tragedies. Regulators, airlines, and manufacturers like Boeing must prioritize transparency, rigorous maintenance, and robust safety protocols. As investigations continue, the industry must heed the warning: even the most advanced aircraft are only as safe as the systems—human and mechanical—that support them.