Boeing has confirmed contact with Air India following Thursday’s crash of Flight 171, marking the first accident involving a 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft’s introduction. The Chicago-based manufacturer issued a statement expressing sympathy for victims while pledging technical support to investigators. The ill-fated flight, carrying 242 people including 12 crew members, went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s airport in western Gujarat state at 1:38 PM local time.
Aviation Safety Network records indicate this represents the Dreamliner’s first major crash since the advanced composite aircraft entered service in 2011. Boeing’s response follows standard protocol for aviation disasters, though the incident carries particular significance as the widebody jet had previously maintained an unblemished safety record despite early battery fire concerns. The crash site in Gujarat has become the focus of intensive investigation by Indian authorities, with Boeing expected to dispatch technical experts to assist in determining the cause of the accident.
The aviation industry is watching closely as this accident comes during a turbulent period for Boeing, which has faced heightened scrutiny following multiple safety incidents involving its 737 MAX aircraft. Indian aviation regulators have temporarily grounded all 787s in the country pending preliminary investigation results, while international aviation authorities consider whether to issue operational restrictions on the Dreamliner fleet worldwide. Early reports from Ahmedabad airport suggest the aircraft may have experienced technical issues shortly after departure, though officials caution against speculation until black box data can be analyzed.
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