Ahmedabad Plane Crash: The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most advanced and widely flown aircraft in the world, is now under the spotlight following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 near Ahmedabad airport. The flight, bound for London, reportedly went down shortly after take-off on Thursday with 242 passengers on board. The incident has sent shockwaves across the aviation industry, raising concerns around the model once again.
Features of Boeing 787
Introduced in 2007, the Dreamliner 787-8 was Boeing’s answer to the demand for fuel-efficient, long-haul aircraft with enhanced passenger comfort. Built with nearly 50 per cent carbon fibre-reinforced polymer, it is significantly lighter than older generation aircraft, contributing to a fuel burn that is about 20 per cent lower.
This mid-size wide-body jet is powered by twin engines and features aerodynamic enhancements such as raked wingtips and smoother contours that reduce drag. The 787-8 typically seats around 242 passengers in a two-class configuration and can travel up to 13,530 km in a single journey, ideal for intercontinental routes such as India to the UK.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Engineering under scrutiny
Touted as Boeing’s best-selling wide-body aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner is celebrated for its spacious cabins, large windows, and enhanced passenger comfort. Designed for long-haul routes, it offers improved cabin pressure, higher humidity, reduced noise, and ambient lighting to ease jet lag. The aircraft comes in three variants 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 with Air India’s AI171 operating the 787-8, capable of seating 248 passengers and flying 13,530 km. It’s powered by either the GEnx-1B or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
Major global carriers like British Airways, United Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Air India operate Dreamliners, underscoring its commercial success. However, the aircraft’s safety track record has been mixed.
Pasts Safety Concerns Around Boeing 787
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched multiple probes into the aircraft’s structural integrity. In 2024, former Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour alleged that fuselage sections were improperly fastened, posing long-term risks. Boeing denied these claims, citing rigorous quality checks. Earlier, whistleblower John Barnett who alleged substandard parts were used to expedite production was found dead in a suspected suicide.
In March 2024, a Latam Airlines 787 nosedived mid-flight due to human error, while in 2013, Dreamliners were globally grounded over lithium-ion battery issues. India’s aviation regulator had also grounded Air India’s six 787s at the time.
Despite these incidents, Boeing maintains that the Dreamliner is safe and continues to fly globally. As investigations into the recent Air India incident continue, attention has turned once again to the aircraft’s design, safety checks, and production integrity reminding the world that even advanced jets can face turbulence beyond the skies.
