New Delhi: A London-bound Air India passenger plane crashed with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew. Air India Boeing 787 Aircraft VT-ANB crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Operations at the Ahmedabad Airport have been suspended temporarily. It is not the first time that a Boeing plane has crashed. The year 2024 was not a great year for Boeing. Let us examine incidents involving Boeing and its Dreamliner in India and other countries.
VIDEO | Ahmedabad Air Crash: Visuals show people running away moments after the Air India flight AI-171 crashed after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.
The Boeing aircraft, which could be seen losing altitude quickly, crashed in Meghaninagar area near the Ahmedabad… pic.twitter.com/oBOmc3rFDr
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2025
About Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Before we move on to the history of incidents, let us know about the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, developed by Boeing Commercial Aeroplanes, is a wide-body airliner renowned for its exceptional fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. Announced on January 29, 2003, the programme launched on April 26, 2004, with an order from All Nippon Airways. The aircraft’s maiden flight took place on December 15, 2009, and it entered commercial service on October 26, 2011.
The 787-8, 186 feet long, typically seats 248 passengers and has a range of 7,305 nautical miles. The stretched 787-9, at 206 feet, seats 296 and can fly 7,565 nautical miles, while the 787-10, at 224 feet, accommodates 336 passengers over 6,330 nautical miles.
The programme encountered issues, particularly with lithium-ion batteries, leading to a temporary grounding in 2013. As of May 2025, there have been 2,137 orders and 1,189 deliveries.
The 787-8 features a comfortable three-class layout with innovative design elements like large electronic-dimming windows and adjustable lighting that simulate natural light.
It also offers a lower cabin altitude, higher humidity, and advanced noise-reduction technology for enhanced passenger comfort. Popular airlines operating the 787 include American Airlines, British Airways, and United Airlines.
Boeing’s Accident History in India
Indian Airlines Flight 257 was a domestic flight operating on the Calcutta–Imphal–Dimapur route. On August 16 1991, the Boeing 737-2A8 registered VT-EFL crashed into Thangjing Hill during descent, killing all 69 on board.
Indian Airlines Flight 491 crashed shortly after takeoff from Aurangabad on April 26 1993. The Boeing 737-2A8, headed to Bombay, resulted in 55 fatalities and 63 injuries.
On July 17 2000, Alliance Air Flight 7412 (Aircraft type: Boeing 737-2A8) crashed into a residential area near Patna during approach, killing 60 people, including five on the ground. The incident was attributed to a pilot error.
Air India Express Flight 812 (Aircraft type: Boeing 737-8HG (SFP)) crashed on landing at Mangalore on May 22 2010, following an unstabilised approach. Of the 166 on board, 158 were killed, making it the deadliest accident for Air India Express.
On August 7 2020, Air India Express Flight 1344 (Aircraft type: Boeing 737-8HG(SFP)), part of the Vande Bharat Mission, crashed while landing at Kozhikode. After two aborted attempts due to weather, it skidded off the runway, resulting in 19 fatalities, including both pilots, while 165 survived. This was the airline’s second fatal accident.
Boeing’s History of Incidents
Boeing aircraft have been involved in nearly 6,000 aviation accidents and incidents globally, with 415 fatal accidents resulting in over 9,000 deaths.
- On March 21, 2022, China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735, a Boeing 737-800, crashed in southern China after entering a steep nosedive from 30,000 feet.
- In October 2018 and March 2019, two crashes involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft killed 346 people, leading to a nearly two-year grounding of the model worldwide.
- On February 20, 2021, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 experienced an engine failure shortly after takeoff but landed safely with no injuries.
- In March 2022, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 had to make an emergency landing in Denver due to a broken windshield.
- On June 6, 2023, an Air India Boeing 777 made an emergency landing in Russia due to engine troubles.
- In January 2024, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 had a door stopper issue shortly after takeoff. A Boeing 737 of All Nippon Airways returned to New Chitose Airport due to a cracked cockpit glass.
- In February 2024, a United Airlines Boeing 757-200 was diverted due to wing damage, and another Boeing 737 was forced back after an engine fire.
- On March 4, 2024, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 lost a tyre during takeoff, and a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 experienced severe technical issues, causing injuries.
- The year 2024 ended tragically for Boeing as a Jeju Air 737 crash resulted in 179 fatalities.
