An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flight AI 171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, killing over 200 of the 242 people on board. This marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, raising significant concerns about the aircraft’s safety record, especially in light of recent whistleblower claims regarding manufacturing defects.
First Fatal Boeing 787 Accident
The Air India flight AI 171, en route to London, tragically crashed minutes after departing Ahmedabad. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner delivered in 2014, was carrying 242 individuals, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals. Only one survivor has been reported. This incident is the first fatal accident for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, an aircraft widely marketed for its advanced safety features and fuel efficiency.
Whistleblower Concerns Surface
The crash has brought renewed attention to serious allegations made by former Boeing employees concerning the 787 Dreamliner’s manufacturing processes:
- Sam Salehpour’s Claims: A Boeing engineer with nearly two decades of experience, Sam Salehpour, alleged last year that the 787 Dreamliner suffers from assembly defects. He claimed that small gaps and improper assembly could lead to early wear and potential structural failure, accusing Boeing of prioritizing profit over safety and retaliating against him for raising concerns.
- Richard Cuevas’s Allegations: In June of the previous year, another whistleblower, Richard Cuevas, came forward. He claimed he was dismissed after flagging potentially dangerous manufacturing problems related to the forward pressure bulkhead, a critical component for managing pressure during flights.
Both whistleblowers’ attorneys stated that Boeing was aware of these issues but prioritized getting planes to market quickly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation based on Salehpour’s claims, stating that currently used 787s comply with safety regulations.
Boeing’s Response and Investigation
Boeing has expressed its full confidence in the Dreamliner and denied retaliating against its workers. Following the crash, Boeing stated its readiness to support Air India in the investigation. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by Air India and India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Pilots reportedly issued a mayday call shortly after takeoff, but no further communication was received by air traffic control.
Previous Incidents Involving the 787 Dreamliner
While the Ahmedabad crash is the first fatal accident, the 787 Dreamliner has been involved in other incidents:
- 2013 Ethiopian Airlines Fire: An empty Ethiopian Airlines 787 caught fire on the ground at London’s Heathrow Airport, linked to a short-circuit in an Emergency Locator Transmitter.
- 2013 Battery Overheating: The global 787 fleet was temporarily grounded due to overheating lithium batteries on two Japanese planes, leading to design changes.
- 2024 LATAM Airlines Mid-Flight Drop: A LATAM Airlines 787 experienced an abrupt mid-flight drop from Sydney to Auckland, injuring at least 50 people. Investigators focused on an involuntary forward movement in the pilot’s seat.
These incidents, combined with the recent fatal crash and whistleblower allegations, underscore the ongoing scrutiny of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s safety and manufacturing practices.
