Boeing’s Dreamliner Nightmare: Is AI171 the Beginning of the End?

The crash of Air India Flight AI171 has jolted the global aviation industry and once again cast a long shadow over Boeing’s safety record. The Dreamliner, once heralded as a revolutionary leap in aviation technology with a flawless fatality record, now lies at the center of a growing storm. The flight, a Boeing 787-8 en route to the U.K., crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 onboard. Reports indicate that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)—a last-resort emergency device activated when major electrical or engine systems fail—was deployed during the incident, raising red flags about catastrophic systemic failure. Within a single week, Boeing Dreamliners have been linked to a flap malfunction, an engine failure, and now a crash, suggesting more than coincidence. Indian authorities have ordered comprehensive inspections of 787s, and global scrutiny is rapidly intensifying. The AI171 incident may not only end the Dreamliner’s clean record—it may permanently redefine Boeing’s reputation for safety.