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The recent Ahmedabad air disaster marks another tragic incident for Boeing, and devastatingly, the first fatal crash involving its flagship 787 Dreamliner. The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash is under intense scrutiny as investigators work to determine the cause of this devastating event.
Details of the Air India 787 Dreamliner Crash
The Air India aircraft, scheduled to arrive at London Gatwick at 6 PM, crashed into residences in the Meghani area of Gujarat’s largest city shortly after takeoff.
The airline, India’s national carrier, has launched an investigation into the crash involving a plane believed to be carrying 242 passengers and crew from India to the UK.
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- Among those on board, 169 were Indian citizens, 53 were British, one was Canadian, and seven were Portuguese.
- Authorities report no survivors.
- Aviation experts speculate the 787-8 Dreamliner might have experienced a sudden power loss.
Other potential factors include abrupt wind changes or a bird strike. The inquiry into this unprecedented accident involving the advanced Dreamliner jet is currently underway.
Aviation analyst Julian Bray commented, “This is a state of the art airliner, the Dreamliner, Boeing’s star product. They essentially fly themselves, so a problem should not have occurred.”
Boeing’s Recent History of Incidents
The Ahmedabad accident adds to Boeing’s series of unfortunate events.
Just days before, the aircraft manufacturer reached a $1.1 billion agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to avert prosecution for the 737 Max crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia in 2018 and 2019, claiming 346 lives.
Those incidents were linked to defective flight control systems, resulting in the global grounding of the 737 Max fleet for nearly two years.
Additional incidents involving Boeing aircraft include:
- Last December: A Boeing jet skidded off a runway in South Korea, colliding with a wall and catching fire.
- November: A Boeing 737 cargo plane crashed into a house in Lithuania, resulting in casualties.
- Earlier in May: A Boeing 737 experienced a fire and substantial damage during a failed takeoff in Senegal.
FAA’s Scrutiny of Boeing
In May 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated a new safety review of Boeing.
The Wall Street Journal noted that the investigation focuses on whether Boeing adhered to safety inspection protocols for all 787 jets.
Regulators allege that Boeing reported that employees may have skipped some 787 Dreamliner inspections.
Recent FAA Actions and Other Boeing Incidents:
- The FAA issued a mandatory inspection order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners three months prior.
- In March 2024, a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787 experienced a severe in-flight incident, injuring over 50 passengers.
- On January 5 of the prior year, a door plug detached mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9.
Whistleblower Allegations and Criminal Investigation Calls
In the past year, a Boeing whistleblower advocated for a criminal investigation into the company, asserting that their “planes are not safe.”
Former Boeing senior manager Ed Pierson highlighted numerous flaws in the aircraft.
The executive director of the Foundation of Aviation Safety has urged authorities to launch a criminal inquiry, issuing a stark warning: “These airplanes are not safe. They are still not safe.”
The midair event involving the Alaska Airlines flight resulted in no injuries. Investigators concluded that bolts securing the panel to the Boeing 737 Max 9’s frame were missing before the incident.
This occurrence has further damaged Boeing’s image and triggered various civil and criminal investigations.
Pierson suggests Boeing may have missed the FAA’s deadline for a turnaround plan following the blowout and requested an extension.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Peirson stressed the need for action, not just words.
He reiterated that a full criminal investigation is necessary because the airplanes are unsafe.
Last week, Boeing reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to avoid prosecution for the 737 Max crashes, which resulted in 346 deaths.
The agreement involves Boeing paying $1.1 billion, including a $487.2 million criminal penalty.
Additionally, $444.5 million will be paid in compensation to the victims’ families.
However, Sanjiv Singh, the victims’ families’ lawyer, criticized the deal as a “morally repugnant” escape, enabling the company to evade true criminal accountability.
If approved, the deal would shield Boeing from a criminal fraud trial.
The two Boeing 737 Max crashes, in October 2018 and March 2019, caused global outrage.
- Lion Air flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 on board.
- Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 crashed after departing Addis Ababa, resulting in 157 deaths.