• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Boeing, once the pinnacle of American aerospace innovation, is now a symbol of persistent safety failures, corporate missteps, and declining public trust. Over the past decade, a series of accidents and manufacturing lapses have plagued the aviation behemoth, culminating in yet another tragic incident, the crash of Air India Flight AI171 on June 12, 2025.

The most recent blow came when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad en route to London. The aircraft was carrying 242 passengers from India, the UK, Canada, and Portugal. Initial reports suggest the aircraft experienced a critical failure shortly after takeoff, resulting in a devastating crash into a hostel for medical students. While one passenger miraculously survived, the incident has reignited public outrage over Boeing’s safety record, especially regarding its Dreamliner series.

Boeing 787: A Dreamliner Dogged By Nightmares

Billed as a modern, fuel-efficient marvel, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has not been free from flaws. From battery fires in 2013 to recent incidents involving structural defects and parts quality issues, the aircraft has repeatedly raised red flags. In January 2025, a United Airlines 787-8 experienced a severe mid-air incident over Côte d’Ivoire, injuring dozens due to a dual navigation system failure.

Other notable mishaps include a 2021 British Airways incident at Heathrow where a parked 787-8 collapsed due to an incorrectly installed landing gear pin, highlighting ongoing quality control issues.

ALSO READ: Air India Flight Crashes In India's Ahmedabad: Ten Deadliest Air Disasters That Shook The World

737 MAX Catastrophes and Fallout

It was the twin disasters of the 737 MAX, Lion Air Flight 610 (2018) and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (2019), that marked the beginning of Boeing’s downfall. These crashes killed 346 people and were later attributed to a flawed flight control system (MCAS) that Boeing failed to adequately disclose to pilots and regulators.

Investigations revealed a pattern of prioritising profit over safety, leading to a USD 2.5 billion settlement and extensive FAA scrutiny. Despite this, new issues persist: in early 2024, an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 experienced a door panel blowout mid-flight due to missing bolts, an error easily preventable with proper oversight.

ALSO READ: BIG Moment: First Person Of Indian-Origin Bobby Mukkamala Sworn In As Head Of American Medical Association

A Troubled Timeline

January 2013: Global grounding of 787s due to battery fires.

October 2018: Lion Air Flight 610 crashes into the Java Sea; 189 dead.

March 2019: Boeing stock peaks despite mounting safety issues.

June 2021: British Airways 787 nose gear collapse at Heathrow.

January 2025: United 787 suffers violent altitude shifts; dozens injured.

June 2025: Air India 787 crashes post takeoff from Ahmedabad.

Legacy Under Threat

Since its debut in 1968, the Boeing 737 family has endured 529 incidents and nearly 5,800 fatalities. Once trusted globally, Boeing now faces a monumental challenge in restoring its reputation. With regulatory bodies increasing audits and airlines re-evaluating their fleets, Boeing’s long-standing dominance in aviation faces unprecedented turbulence, one crisis at a time.