Boeing’s legacy in aviation has undergone a dramatic shift. Once, passengers proudly declared, “If it’s not Boeing, I’m not going.” Today, that sentiment has reversed with many now saying, “If it is Boeing, I’m not going,” reflecting growing fear rather than loyalty. As Boeing-related accidents continue to make headlines, the safety of its aircraft is again under the microscope, especially in the wake of the Dreamliner 787 crash that sent shockwaves across the world.
Horrific visuals of sudden loss of lift, resulting in a deadly crash #Boeing #planecrash #Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/1KoYAyXW4M
— Bucks Beyond Borders (@busiredyash) June 12, 2025
Boeing aircraft are often lauded for their fuel efficiency and travel comfort. But the real question is, how safe are they? The conversation around safety resurfaces even as Boeing recently celebrated a major milestone: carrying its one-billionth passenger aboard the 787 Dreamliner.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner took to the skies for the first time 14 years ago. Its maiden flight was on October 26, 2011, operated by Nippon Airways from Hong Kong to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. Despite the aircraft’s technological advancements, recent crashes, including the tragic one in Ahmedabad, have prompted serious concerns about whether Boeing is taking adequate safety precautions.
How Boeing’s Reputation for Safety Began to Crumble
Once the gold standard in commercial aviation, Boeing was a name synonymous with reliability and engineering excellence. Over the years, however, a series of fatal crashes has tarnished this image. The tragedies in Indonesia (2018) and Ethiopia (2019), both involving Boeing 737 aircraft, claimed hundreds of lives and marked a turning point in public perception. The recent Ahmedabad crash, involving a Dreamliner 787, has only deepened these concerns.
📌 2007: Adam Air Flight 574 (Boeing 737-400).
Crashed into Makassar Strait, Indonesia, killing 102.
Navigation system failure & pilot error cited.
Highlighted issues with maintenance in budget airlines. pic.twitter.com/5THoQeE3i1
— The Tathya (@_TheTathya) June 12, 2025
The exact cause of the crash in Ahmedabad remains unknown. Authorities have stated that a clearer picture will emerge only after both black boxes, the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, are recovered. So far, only one has been found. Meanwhile, aviation experts have offered various interpretations based on the wreckage and crash site, but no definitive explanation has emerged.
Boeing’s Safety Record Under Scrutiny
It was in 2018 that Boeing’s safety standards began to face global scrutiny. On October 29 of that year, a Lion Air flight crashed into the Java Sea just 13 minutes after departing from Jakarta Airport. All 189 passengers, including an Indian pilot, perished. The aircraft was a Boeing 737 Max 8, and investigations revealed a critical error on Boeing’s part.
Less than a year later, disaster struck again. On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, also a Boeing 737 Max 8, plunged to the ground six minutes after takeoff, killing all 159 on board. Investigations confirmed a technical fault in the aircraft’s flight control system, specifically the failure of the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System), which was designed to prevent the plane from nosediving.
🗓 | 𝗢𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 (𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟵): Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes shortly after departing Addis Ababa, all 157 on board die. A faulty angle of attack sensor had accidentally activated the MCAS system. It was the 2nd MAX 8 accident in 5 months, after Lion Air Flight 610. pic.twitter.com/mGHJv2yWiK
— Air Crash Investigation (@AirCrash_) March 10, 2024
The proximity of these two disasters sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and raised significant alarm over Boeing’s safety protocols. As a result, around 390 Boeing 737 Max planes were grounded globally. The company was forced to pay billions in compensation to victims’ families and affected airlines. The 737 Max series only returned to service in 2020 after promised technical rectifications.
Yet, Boeing’s troubles were far from over. On January 9, 2021, Sriwijaya Air Flight 182, a Boeing 737-500, crashed into the sea just four minutes after takeoff. All 62 lives aboard were lost. The investigation pointed to multiple faults, including issues with the autothrottle system.
Sriwijaya Air flight #SJ182 was lost at 07:40 UTC time after 4 minutes of departure from CGK Soekarno Hatta en route to PKG Punyianak the altitude drop from 10,000 ft of altitudeto 250 ft. My prayers goes to all the passengers and crews of #SJ182 Sriwijaya Air. pic.twitter.com/POAA9YYnex
— MDZ (@JDZachareigh) January 9, 2021
From Sky to Space: A Broader Pattern
Boeing’s string of failures has not been confined to aviation alone. The company faced a setback in space exploration too. During a mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, astronauts Sunita Williams and Wills More, both of Indian origin, became stranded on the International Space Station due to a technical fault discovered during their return preparations.
NEWS: It appears the crippled Boeing Starliner, which has marooned two astronauts up in space for almost two months, may have completely failed.
It's now highly likely the stranded astronauts will end up leaving the International Space Station on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. pic.twitter.com/e8R8DgeIjg
— ALEX (@ajtourville) August 4, 2024
Critics argue that Boeing’s pivot towards low-cost aircraft production has come at the expense of quality and safety. The company’s transition away from its legacy of engineering innovation and meticulous safety practices has been widely condemned. In pursuit of cost-cutting, Boeing outsourced crucial components to less experienced contractors across countries like Italy, South Korea, and Russia. This shift has been viewed as a major factor in the erosion of its once-sterling reputation.
Ahmedabad Tragedy Reignites Debate
The recent crash in Ahmedabad has reignited global concerns. On June 12, 2025, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London. The aircraft carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. In a heartbreaking tragedy, 265 people, including residents of the area and students at a nearby medical college hostel, lost their lives. Only one passenger is reported to have survived, escaping through an emergency exit.
The incident has cast yet another shadow over Boeing’s already battered image. Although the exact cause remains under investigation, the scale and horror of the Ahmedabad crash have only intensified public scepticism about the company’s commitment to safety.
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