Boeing Faces Potential Re-entry into Crisis State Following Dreamliner Crash
A Rough Landing for Boeing: Crash Investigation Underway
G rushing smoke and the horrifying transmission, "Mayday... no thrust, losing power, unable to lift," marked the final moments of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner before it met its tragic end in Ahmedabad, India. With experts from Boeing en route to India, the company is bracing for impact as the cause of the disaster is unraveled.
The social media landscape echoed the incident, with unconfirmed reports suggesting an insufficient thrust immediately after takeoff, leading to power loss and inability to climb. There were also murmurs about the wings' flaps, vital for takeoff and landing, either not deploying or insufficiently so.
However, flight safety experts don't suspect a manufacturing or design problem as the primary cause. Instead, they remain open to various possibilities, from engine failure to pilot error. Aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas shared his insights, noting it's unusual for an aircraft's flaps to remain in line with the wings shortly after takeoff.
As investigative teams dig deeper to uncover the cause of the disaster, one of the flight recorders has already been found, per the Hindustan Times. Alongside local efforts, the British Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and U.S. President Donald Trump have pledged support. Boeing itself is prepared to assist in investigations.
The tragedy comes at a challenging time for Boeing. New CEO Dave Calhoun, who had recently worked towards restoring public trust in the company following a series of crises, canceled his Paris Air Show visit due to the incident. Previous accidents, including deadly 737 crashes in 2018 and 2019, and a grounding in 2013 due to battery issues, have fuelled concerns over the company's safety.
Stock Market Reaction
The Dreamliner crash has sent shockwaves through the stock market, with Boeing’s stock plummeting at the end of the Dow Jones on Thursday. After pre-market losses of up to eight percent, the stock closed as the weakest Dow Jones performer with a daily loss of 4.8 percent at $203.75. The following day, it continued its downward spiral, trading pre-market at $201.35.
The manufacturing giant is not the only one feeling the heat, with shares of GE Aerospace, the creator of the Dreamliner's engines, falling by 2.3 percent to $239.99.
While accidents have impacted Boeing's stock price in the past, prolonged periods of weakness have been rare. The months-long grounding of 737 Max aircraft, the most significant drop during the 2020 Corona crisis, and ongoing production constraints and supply chain issues have hindered larger recoveries.
The Future
The crash could potentially trigger a strengthened review of manufacturing and quality procedures, but experts are hesitant to predict long-term impacts until the investigation concludes. The upcoming Paris Air Show may also be affected, as analysts believe the disaster could overshadow announcements and presentations.
Looking beyond the crisis, Boeing announced a remarkable order intake for May 2025, with 303 aircraft newly ordered – the sixth-best month in the company's history. Orders included 139 orders for the 737 Max family, 75 units of the wide-body 787-10, and 45 units of the 787-9, both variations of the popular Dreamliner. The Europeans, however, fell short, with Airbus reporting no new orders in May.
While the upcoming Paris Air Show will shed light on Boeing's standing in the aerospace market, the company's path forward remains uncertain in the wake of the tragic crash. With investigations underway and the cause yet to be determined, stakeholders and the general public await official findings eagerly.
- As a result of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, India, the stocks of both Boeing and GE Aerospace have suffered significant losses on the stock market.
- The crash could potentially lead to an increased focus on manufacturing and quality procedures within the aviation industry, as experts await the conclusion of the investigation.
- Despite the tragic crash, Boeing announced a record-breaking order intake for May 2025, totaling 303 aircraft, including 139 orders for the 737 Max family and 45 units of the 787-9 Dreamliner.
