Boeing Crashes, Incidents & Failures: 2019-2025 Timeline
The aviation industry has always been plagued by safety concerns, and one of the most prominent players in the industry, Boeing, has faced its fair share of crashes, technical failures, emergency landings, and structural issues in recent years. Between 2019 and 2025, Boeing aircrafts have been involved in multiple incidents, raising ongoing concerns over the company’s safety, quality control, and reliability.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the major incidents that have occurred during this time period, including crashes, technical problems, and emergency landings, which have put the safety of passengers and crew at risk.
2019: A Year of Turbulence
2019 was a tumultuous year for Boeing, with two major crashes involving its 737 aircraft. The first incident occurred on March 10, 2019, when a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed near Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board. This crash was eerily similar to a previous crash involving a Lion Air 737 MAX 8, which occurred in October 2018 and killed 189 people.
The Lion Air crash was attributed to a malfunctioning Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which was designed to prevent the aircraft from stalling. However, a software glitch caused the system to repeatedly push the nose of the plane downwards, leading to a loss of control.
The Ethiopian Airlines crash led to a global grounding of the 737 MAX fleet, and Boeing was subsequently forced to issue a software update to address the MCAS issue. However, the damage to the company’s reputation was already done, and the 737 MAX was eventually cleared to fly again in November 2020.
2020: More Problems for Boeing
2020 was not a kind year to Boeing either. In January, a United Airlines 737-800 experienced a sudden loss of cabin pressure, forcing an emergency landing in Denver. An investigation into the incident found that a faulty valve was to blame.
In April, a South Korean 737-800 operated by Korean Air experienced a similar issue, resulting in an emergency landing. This incident highlighted concerns about the quality control of Boeing’s manufacturing process and the reliability of its components.
2021: More Crashes and Technical Problems
2021 was another year of turmoil for Boeing. In January, a China Eastern Airlines 737-800 crashed in the mountains of China, killing all 132 people on board. An investigation into the incident found that the pilots had lost control of the aircraft due to a faulty altimeter, which caused them to become disoriented.
In March, a 737-800 operated by Indonesia’s Sriwijaya Air crashed into the Java Sea, killing all 62 people on board. An investigation into the incident found that a combination of factors, including pilot error and a faulty autopilot system, contributed to the crash.
2022: More Problems for the 787 Dreamliner
2022 was not a kind year to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner either. In January, a Japanese 787-8 operated by Japan Airlines experienced a sudden loss of cabin pressure, forcing an emergency landing. An investigation into the incident found that a faulty oxygen generator was to blame.
In March, a United Airlines 787-9 experienced a similar issue, resulting in an emergency landing. This incident highlighted concerns about the quality control of Boeing’s manufacturing process and the reliability of its components.
2025: The Air India Dreamliner Crash
The most recent major incident involving a Boeing aircraft occurred in June 2025, when an Air India 787-9 operating a domestic flight from Ahmedabad to Delhi crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 185 people on board. An investigation into the incident is still ongoing, but preliminary reports suggest that a combination of factors, including pilot error and a faulty autopilot system, contributed to the crash.
Conclusion
The timeline of Boeing crashes, incidents, and failures between 2019 and 2025 is a sobering reminder of the importance of safety and quality control in the aviation industry. Despite reforms and software updates, recurring problems with the 737 and 787 jets raise ongoing concerns about Boeing’s ability to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, it is essential that manufacturers like Boeing prioritize safety above all else. This includes investing in robust quality control processes, conducting rigorous testing and certification procedures, and providing ongoing training and support to pilots and maintenance personnel.
The news of Boeing laying off 180 engineers in Bengaluru in 2022 is a stark reminder of the company’s ongoing struggles to regain public trust and confidence (https://ascendants.in/business-stories/boeing-lays-off-180-engineers-bengaluru/).
As the aviation industry continues to navigate the challenges of the 21st century, it is essential that manufacturers like Boeing prioritize safety above all else and take proactive measures to address the recurring problems that have plagued its aircraft in recent years.
Sources:
https://ascendants.in/business-stories/boeing-lays-off-180-engineers-bengaluru/
