On Thursday, a London-bound Air India flight crashed into a residential area near Ahmedabad airport shortly after take-off, causing concern for the 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The flight, a Boeing 787-8, made a distress call to air traffic control before plummeting to the ground outside the airport perimeter. The exact number of casualties is still unclear as rescue efforts continue.
The Boeing 787, also known as the Dreamliner, is a highly advanced and technologically advanced aircraft that boasts features aimed at ensuring passenger safety. Unlike older planes, the 787 uses a digital fly-by-wire system controlled by computers rather than manual cables and pulleys. This system has triple backups, ensuring that the plane stays under control even if one fails. Additionally, the body of the 787 is made of lighter and tougher composite materials, making it more resistant to wear and tear over time. The plane also has health monitoring systems that constantly check its parts and alert the crew of any issues.
Air India has been flying the 787 Dreamliner since 2012, relying on over two dozen of these planes for its long-haul routes. The 787 has an impressive record with over a billion passengers flown without any fatal crashes or total losses. However, in 2013, the aircraft faced its first major snag when a Japan Airlines 787 caught fire due to an overheated battery. This incident, along with other safety concerns, led to the grounding of the entire 787 fleet for three months. Since then, there have been a few other incidents, such as a British Airways 787 experiencing a nose gear collapse and a LATAM Airlines 787 suddenly dropping mid-flight, injuring 50 people. These incidents have raised questions about the safety of the 787 and allegations against Boeing.
In 2014, a Boeing engineer turned whistleblower, testifying before the US Senate that the 787’s fuselage could wear out faster than expected due to gaps and sloppy fastening. Boeing pushed back against these claims, stating that their tests proved the aircraft could fly safely for up to 40 or 50 years with regular upkeep. However, workers at Boeing’s Charleston, South Carolina plant, where 787s are built, have raised concerns about being rushed and safety worries being ignored. These concerns have led to several investigations, including a criminal probe by the US Department of Justice and an ongoing investigation by the FAA.
Boeing’s safety record has also come under scrutiny, with their most popular model, the 737, having been involved in 529 accidents and incidents, resulting in 5,779 deaths and 234 total losses. The stock market has reacted to the Ahmedabad Air India crash, with shares of Boeing falling 8% in premarket US trading. This knee-jerk reaction is due to fears of the problems that have plagued Boeing in recent years, according to analysts.
The full extent of the reputational damage to Boeing will be determined as more details emerge