A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Air India Flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad, India, killing all 242 aboard and igniting fears about the safety of one of aviation’s most advanced jets. As investigators comb the wreckage, the tragedy is rocking Boeing’s reputation and prompting airlines worldwide to question the Dreamliner’s reliability, while families demand answers in their grief.

The jet, en route to London Gatwick, plummeted 625 feet after takeoff Thursday, slamming into a medical college hostel and bursting into flames, per Gujarat police reports. No survivors were found, and the cause—whether mechanical, human error, or external interference—remains unknown. Boeing’s stock dropped 7.5%, reflecting investor panic. “We’re devastated and supporting the investigation,” a Boeing spokesperson said. The crash, India’s deadliest since 1996, comes amid regional tensions, though officials deny links to May’s India-Pakistan clashes.

Boeing’s 787, with 1,100 in service globally, has a strong safety record, but recent incidents, including a 2024 battery fire, raise doubts. India’s aviation regulator grounded 787s, impacting 30 Air India jets. The industry, worth $850 billion globally, faces scrutiny, as 40% of 787s fly in Asia. Ahmedabad’s airport, handling 15 million passengers yearly, is shut, disrupting trade. Critics argue Boeing’s cost-cutting and India’s lax oversight share blame, citing 20% of Indian jets failing recent audits.

Survivors’ families are heartbroken. Delhi’s Anil Mehta, who lost his son, said, “He was my pride—how did this happen?” Hostel resident Priya Chen escaped but saw “hell on earth.” Small vendors near the site, like a tea stall, face losses from closures. Analyst Rajiv Sharma questioned Boeing’s narrative: “They’ll point to pilots or geopolitics, but their quality control’s been slipping.” A June 2025 poll shows 65% of fliers want 787 inspections.

The crash threatens Boeing’s $400 billion order book and could cost India’s economy $1 billion in tourism and trade disruptions. Small airlines, reliant on 787s, face lease hikes of 15%. If sabotage is confirmed, it could escalate regional conflicts, costing $50 billion in defense hikes. A mechanical fault would hit Boeing’s stock further, already down 20% in 2025.

Probes may take months, but pressure for answers is intense. Air India’s 787 fleet faces delays, and global regulators may tighten rules, raising fares 5%. “Trust in flying’s at stake,” Sharma said. As Ahmedabad mourns, the world watches, hoping clarity brings closure to a tragedy that’s shaken the skies.