Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crash: In a tragic incident, an Air India London-bound plane AI 171 crashed soon after take-off in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. The passenger plane that crashed was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The Air India crash incident marks the first fatal accident involving a 787 Dreamliner aircraft.Shares of US aviation giant Boeing crashed more than 8% in pre-market trading following the plane crash. The 787 Dreamliner series of planes are a flagship product of Boeing.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner: All you want to know
- The Boeing 787 Dreamliner stands as a premier long-distance aircraft in the US manufacturer’s portfolio.
- The Boeing 787 comes in three distinct variants: the 787-8 model accommodates 248 passengers with a range of 13,530 kilometres (8,400 miles); the 787-9 configuration seats 296 passengers with a 14,010-kilometre range; whilst the 787-10 transports 330 passengers covering 11,910 kilometres.
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a wide-body aircraft that is said to be fuel-efficient
- The 787’s design allows for direct destination flights, eliminating the necessity for hub-based operations typically required for heavier aircraft, according to an AFP report.
- The aircraft involved in the Ahmedabad incident on Thursday was a 787-8, with 242 people aboard including passengers and crew.
- Boeing 787 entered service in 2009, according to an AP report. The Dreamliner aircraft marked a significant advancement in aviation as the first commercial airliner constructed predominantly using lightweight composite materials.
- Additionally, it introduced the widespread implementation of lithium ion batteries, which offered superior advantages in weight reduction, faster recharging capabilities and enhanced energy storage compared to conventional battery systems.
- However, in 2013, aviation authorities temporarily suspended operations of approximately 50 Boeing 787 aircraft due to safety concerns arising from overheating incidents involving the lithium-ion batteries, with some instances resulting in fires, the AP report said.
- Airlines worldwide have placed orders for 2,598 units, with 889 aircraft yet to be delivered to more than 80 carriers.
- According to the AFP report, the aircraft’s distinctive advantage lies in its construction, with 50 per cent of its structure comprising composite materials, resulting in significant weight reduction. This enables fuel consumption savings of up to 20 per cent on extended routes compared to similar-sized traditional passenger aircraft.
Boeing issued a statement saying, “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.”Also Read | Air India plane crash: IndiGo, SpiceJet issue travel advisories; Ahmedabad airport now open for limited flight operations
Not the first setback for Boeing
Boeing has encountered numerous challenges in their aircraft programme, experiencing multiple costly delivery halts between 2021 and 2023, primarily attributed to manufacturing defects and quality control problems.This led the US Federal Aviation Administration to strengthen their oversight through enhanced quality checks and production line inspections.In April 2023, Boeing received FAA approval to increase their monthly production capacity from five to seven aircraft.The company’s commercial performance faces significant challenges.Despite receiving clearance from Chinese authorities, Boeing recorded zero deliveries to China in May. This followed Beijing’s temporary restriction on Chinese carriers from engaging with Boeing in the previous month, a consequence of the ongoing trade tensions with Washington.
