Next of kin of the Air India accident victims file lawsuit aerospace giants the manufacturers
Relatives of several individuals who died in the June Air India disaster have submitted a legal claim in the US judicial system naming aviation firm Boeing and component manufacturer Honeywell.
This lawsuit, submitted on this week, claims that faulty fuel switches led to the crash and asserts both organizations of negligence.
The ill-fated flight, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after departure from the airport, leading to the deaths of 260 passengers and crew.
Investigators have focused on the fuel control units after early reports suggested that fuel supply was stopped moments after the plane left the ground.
Legal documents states that both the companies were aware of the possible dangers associated with the jet's components from the design and promotion of the Boeing 787.
It references a previous recommendation that urged—but did not mandate—airlines to check the fuel switch design to avert unintentional movement.
Regarding the crashed jet, the control was shifted from operational mode to shut-down, which stopped the power based on the initial findings.
The families state this constitutes a fault that enabled the accidental shut-off of fuel, leading to a total engine failure.
It is alleged that Boeing and Honeywell failed to act to prevent the tragedy despite having knowledge of the potential issues.
The companies also allegedly did not to notify operators that the parts should have checking and replacement, and failed to provide replacement parts.
An in-depth investigation of the crash is anticipated to be completed in the coming years.
This tragedy resulted in the death of 229 individuals, 12 crew members, and nineteen persons on the ground.
