Boeing Shares Fall 4 Percent After Air India Dreamliner Crash Sparks Safety Concerns

Boeing has rallied this year as investors turned optimistic after a years-long hit to the company’s reputation.

A Boeing sign is seen on a building near Boeing Field, as trade tensions escalate over U.S. tariffs with China, in Seattle, Wash., on April 22, 2025. David Ryder/REUTERS File Photo

Shares of Boeing sank more than 4 percent as an Air India plane crash revived safety and production issues.

A London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India.

Footage posted on social media shows the fully fueled jet erupting into a fireball minutes after takeoff. Officials reported at least 240 deaths.

Boeing president and CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed that the company is in contact with the carrier and is “ready to support the investigation.”

“Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad,” Ortberg said in a statement.

Air India received its first Boeing 787 plane in September 2012. Since then, the company has ordered hundreds of new Boeing jets and services.

The crash renewed concerns surrounding safety.

Over the last few years, the company has faced multiple federal investigations and whistleblower complaints relating to several accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 737 model. The Federal Aviation Administration grounded the Boeing 737 MAX jets for years after two fatal crashes.

The brand’s reputation took another hit when NASA found that, due to technical problems, it was too risky to use Boeing’s spacecraft to return two astronauts home from the International Space Station. This forced the space agency to rely on Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Last year, Ortberg announced a four-part plan to resuscitate the aerospace giant’s operations and brand. The company has also highlighted improvements in safety and manufacturing standards at its facilities.

The strategy has bolstered sentiment among investors and market analysts regarding the stock, with shares rising nearly 19 percent this year.

In April, Boeing released its first-quarter earnings data, reporting a smaller net loss, higher revenues, and an increase in aircraft deliveries.

According to MarketBeat data, Boeing maintains an overall “Buy” rating and a 2.5 percent upside forecast in its share price over the next 12 months.

What We Know

Real-time air traffic monitor Flightradar said initial flight path data revealed that the Air India plane touched a “maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet (airport altitude is about 200 feet) and then it started to descend with a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute.”

Flightradar later verified that the plane “departed using the full length” of the runway and “backtracked to the end of the runway before beginning its [takeoff] roll.”

Authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the crash.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board confirmed on X that it will lead “a team of US investigators traveling to India to assist Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau with its investigation.”

Firefighters work at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. Sam Panthaky/AFP via Getty Images

In a social media video message, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed deep sorrow over the events.

“This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones,” Wilson said.

“We understand people are eager for information, and please know that we will continue to share accurate and timely information as soon as we can.”

Air India has organized several relief flights for the next of kin of passengers and staff.