On June 12, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded as an Air India aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, India. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was on its way to London’s Gatwick Airport, carried 242 passengers and crew members. Miraculously, one individual survived the crash, while the others onboard lost their lives. This incident marked the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and stands as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent history.
The unfortunate aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a type recognized for its capacity and efficiency on long-haul routes. Having made its initial flight in December 2013, it was delivered to Air India in January 2014, according to the aviation data firm Cirium. At the time of the incident, Air India had a fleet of 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and had plans to expand this number with at least 20 additional orders. Globally, there are over 1,100 Dreamliners flying in commercial airline service.
Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft lost contact just a minute after takeoff, around 1:38 p.m. local time, while climbing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight achieved a maximum altitude of 625 feet, a minor elevation compared to the airport’s elevation of 200 feet. The exact reasons for the rapid descent before the crash are still unclear, and local media have reported fatalities on the ground.
Aircraft crashes can stem from various causes, including mechanical failures, pilot errors, or external factors. It’s often a combination of several elements that lead to such tragedies.
Investigation teams are set to examine the wreckage for critical components known as black boxes, which include the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. These devices will shed light on the activities in the cockpit prior to the crash.
Beyond the black boxes, investigators will scrutinize a wide range of factors. This includes the airline's maintenance logs, the pilots' actions during the flight, the aircraft's configurations like slats and flaps, as well as weather conditions on the day of the incident, which saw temperatures nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, video footage from the airport may provide further insights into the situation.
Under international regulations, the nation where the crash occurred leads the inquiry, with participation from Boeing and the engine manufacturer, GE Aerospace, along with U.S.-based crash investigation authorities.
While it remains too early to draw definitive conclusions about the factors contributing to the crash, some experts have dismissed the likelihood of manufacturing defects. The aircraft, having been operational for over a decade, has generally undergone thorough testing and has not previously raised significant concerns.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former safety investigator with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, indicated that it might take time to identify the specific cause or combination of causes behind the crash. He emphasized that, despite initial takeoff success, the aircraft faced unexplained challenges in its ascent.
Boeing, while facing scrutiny, had dealt with various issues associated with the Dreamliner in the past. Concerns included previous allegations of shortcuts in production processes, leading to potential weaknesses in critical aircraft structures. Nonetheless, experts believe this particular incident may not directly relate to past concerns.
The impact of this accident on Boeing will largely depend on the findings of the investigation. CEO Kelly Ortberg has been navigating the company through a series of challenges concerning safety and manufacturing. The company was previously burdened by the fallout from two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max jets.
Despite the sensitive situation, demand for new aircraft remains strong, with many airlines placing orders that can take years to fulfill. According to Wolfe Research, while the immediate financial repercussions on Boeing may be limited, the incident could affect momentum until clearer insights are provided.
As of now, Boeing has a backlog of 900 orders for the Dreamliner, signaling continued confidence in the aircraft model despite the serious nature of this incident.
Please share by clicking this button!
Visit our site and see all other available articles!