Boeing Crashes, Incidents & Failures: 2019–2025 Timeline
The year 2019 marked a significant turning point in Boeing’s history, with a series of crashes, technical failures, emergency landings, and structural issues involving its aircraft. The incidents, which continued to plague the company until 2025, raised serious concerns over Boeing’s safety, quality control, and reliability. In this blog post, we’ll examine the major incidents that took place between 2019 and 2025, highlighting the recurring problems with Boeing’s 737 and 787 jets.
2019: The Ethiopian Airlines Crash
The year 2019 began with a devastating crash involving an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. On March 10, 2019, the plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board. The incident was eerily similar to the Lion Air crash in Indonesia just five months prior, which also involved a 737 MAX 8. The crashes led to a global grounding of the 737 MAX fleet, with many countries suspending its operation.
2019: The Lion Air Crash Investigation
The investigation into the Lion Air crash revealed a series of technical failures and human errors that contributed to the disaster. The report found that a faulty angle of attack sensor, combined with inadequate training and maintenance, led to the plane’s automatic system malfunctioning. The incident highlighted the importance of proper pilot training and the need for Boeing to improve its quality control measures.
2019: The 737 MAX Grounding
In response to the Ethiopian Airlines crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the 737 MAX fleet worldwide. The move came after Boeing faced intense scrutiny over its handling of the crisis, with many questioning the company’s commitment to safety. The grounding had significant economic implications for Boeing, with the company facing billions of dollars in losses.
2020: The 737 MAX Return to Service
After an 18-month hiatus, the 737 MAX was cleared to return to service in November 2020. However, the relaunch was marred by controversy, with many countries imposing their own conditions on the plane’s operation. Boeing was forced to implement software updates and provide additional training to pilots to address the safety concerns raised during the grounding.
2020: The United Airlines 737-800 Engine Failure
In February 2020, a United Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft suffered an engine failure during takeoff from Denver. The incident, which injured several passengers, highlighted the ongoing concerns over the 737’s engine performance. The FAA launched an investigation into the incident, which led to Boeing issuing a safety bulletin to address potential engine failure risks.
2021: The China Eastern Airlines 737-800 Crash
On March 21, 2021, a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft crashed in the mountains of China, killing all 132 people on board. The incident, which occurred during a domestic flight from Kunming to Guangzhou, was attributed to a sudden loss of control. The crash raised concerns over the 737’s handling characteristics and Boeing’s response to safety concerns.
2022: The 787 Dreamliner Production Issues
In 2022, Boeing faced production issues with its 787 Dreamliner aircraft, leading to a significant delay in deliveries. The problems, which included issues with the plane’s fuselage and structural components, were attributed to design flaws and inadequate quality control measures. The incident highlighted the ongoing concerns over Boeing’s ability to deliver high-quality products on time.
2024: The South Korean 737-800 Emergency Landing
In June 2024, a Korean Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft made an emergency landing in Seoul after experiencing a technical issue. The incident, which occurred during a domestic flight, forced the plane to divert to a nearby airport. The cause of the malfunction was attributed to a faulty engine sensor.
2025: The Air India 787 Dreamliner Crash
On February 10, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft crashed while landing at Ahmedabad Airport in India. The incident, which killed 26 people and injured over 100, raised concerns over the plane’s safety and Boeing’s ability to deliver reliable aircraft. The crash was attributed to a combination of human error and technical failures.
Conclusion
The timeline of Boeing crashes, incidents, and failures between 2019 and 2025 highlights the company’s ongoing struggles with safety, quality control, and reliability. Despite reforms and improvements, recurring problems with the 737 and 787 jets raise ongoing concerns over Boeing’s ability to deliver high-quality products. The company’s commitment to safety and customer satisfaction will be closely watched in the coming years as it seeks to regain the trust of the aviation industry and the public.
News Source:
https://ascendants.in/business-stories/boeing-lays-off-180-engineers-bengaluru/
