On June 12, a tragic crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner shocked the world. Flight AI-171 had just taken off from Ahmedabad, heading to London, when things suddenly went wrong. The plane didn’t even make it past 1,000 feet before sending out a Mayday signal and crashing. Now, investigators are working to find out exactly what happened—and why.
A Brief Look Back
The Dreamliner involved had been properly maintained. One engine was almost new (replaced in March 2025), and the other was scheduled for its next check-up in December. This led many to question whether Boeing itself might be at fault—especially given past mechanical failures, like the infamous Alaska Airlines 737 Max incident.
But there’s a twist: the Dreamliner isn’t the same model as the 737 Max. In fact, this was the first fatal accident involving a Dreamliner in its 14 years of service.
So, What Went Wrong?
Both black boxes—the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—have been recovered. But the final report from Indian authorities could take months. That said, some early clues have surfaced.
A New York Times investigation found that everything looked normal during takeoff: the runway was clear, wing flaps were in position, and takeoff procedures were routine. But then came the disaster.
One theory suggests that the landing gear failed to retract, which may have triggered the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)—a backup system that only kicks in if the plane loses hydraulic or electrical power. That implies something very serious, possibly even a dual engine failure, which is extremely rare for a Dreamliner.
Sabotage?
In a surprising development, the Indian government has not ruled out the possibility of sabotage. Given how rare dual engine failures are, some investigators are now exploring whether foul play could have been involved.
Meanwhile, a fake report circulated on social media, claiming the pilot’s seat malfunctioned, causing him to accidentally hit critical controls. While it turned out to be a hoax, the story gained traction because it sounded plausible based on the limited information at the time.
What Happens Next?
We’re still months away from a complete, verified explanation. Until then, speculation will continue—and Boeing’s reputation, as well as its stock, remains under the spotlight.
Is Boeing Stock Still a Buy?
Despite the crisis, Wall Street analysts still rate Boeing (NYSE: BA) as a Strong Buy. In the past three months:
- 17 analysts gave it a Buy
- 2 rated it as Hold
- 1 marked it as Sell
The stock has already gained nearly 17% over the past year, and analysts believe it could rise another 4.86%, targeting an average price of $226.42 per share.
Bottom Line
While the Air India crash has raised serious questions, the investigation is far from over. Boeing’s safety record, engineering, and response will all be under intense scrutiny as the world waits for answers.
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