India orders checks on Boeing fuel switches

India's aviation safety watchdog has ordered the country's airline operators to inspect fuel control switches in Boeing aircraft, after a preliminary investigation report on last month's deadly crash involving an Air India passenger jet showed the aircraft's engine fuel switches turned off soon after takeoff.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued the order as several domestic and international airlines started their own inspections of the locking mechanisms attached to the switches.

The Indian aviation safety regulator has directed all airline operators to complete the inspection of the engine fuel switches by July 21. The watchdog also issued mandatory modifications for aircraft, engines and components registered in India "based on the Airworthiness Directives issued by State of Design/Manufacture", a statement showed.