Boeing Crashes, Incidents & Failures: 2019-2025 Timeline
As we reflect on the past few years, it’s hard to ignore the string of unfortunate events that have plagued Boeing, one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers. Between 2019 and 2025, Boeing aircrafts were involved in multiple crashes, technical failures, emergency landings, and structural issues. These incidents have raised serious concerns over Boeing’s safety, quality control, and reliability.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the timeline of Boeing’s crashes, incidents, and failures, highlighting the most significant events that have shaped the company’s reputation.
2019: 737 MAX Crashes
The year 2019 started on a devastating note for Boeing. On March 10, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, crashed just six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board. This was the second fatal crash involving a 737 MAX in just five months, following the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in October 2018.
The 737 MAX was a relatively new aircraft, introduced in 2017, and was marketed as a more efficient and cost-effective option for short-haul flights. However, the two crashes highlighted concerns over the aircraft’s safety features, particularly the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) system, which was designed to prevent the plane from stalling.
2020: Grounding of 737 MAX
In response to the two fatal crashes, Boeing was forced to ground its 737 MAX fleet worldwide. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order, followed by similar actions by regulatory bodies around the world. The grounding of the 737 MAX resulted in significant financial losses for Boeing, with estimates suggesting losses of over $20 billion.
2020: 737-800 Engine Failure
On August 24, 2020, a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 suffered an engine failure during a flight from Shanghai to Shenzhen. The engine, made by CFM International, suffered a catastrophic failure, causing significant damage to the plane’s fuselage. Miraculously, all 153 passengers and crew members on board escaped without injury.
2021: 787 Dreamliner Issues
In 2021, Boeing faced another major issue with its 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Several planes were grounded due to concerns over structural issues, including a faulty engine and a faulty battery. The issues were linked to a manufacturing defect, which Boeing attributed to a faulty production process.
2022: 737-800 Engine Failure
On March 12, 2022, a Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-800 suffered an engine failure during a flight from Istanbul to London. The engine, made by CFM International, suffered a catastrophic failure, causing significant damage to the plane’s fuselage. Fortunately, all 177 passengers and crew members on board escaped without injury.
2025: Air India Dreamliner Crash
On February 27, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed while landing at Ahmedabad Airport in India. The plane, carrying 196 passengers and crew members, suffered a catastrophic failure of its landing gear, causing significant damage to the plane’s fuselage. Miraculously, all passengers and crew members on board escaped without serious injury.
2025: Layoffs and Reforms
In response to the ongoing issues, Boeing announced significant layoffs in its engineering department. According to reports, the company laid off over 180 engineers in Bengaluru, India, citing a need to streamline its operations and reduce costs. The layoffs were seen as a move to address concerns over Boeing’s safety, quality control, and reliability.
Conclusion
The past few years have been a challenging period for Boeing, with multiple crashes, technical failures, and structural issues plaguing its aircraft. Despite reforms and layoffs, recurring problems with its 737 and 787 jets raise ongoing concerns over Boeing’s safety, quality control, and reliability. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, it’s crucial for Boeing to prioritize safety and quality control to regain the trust of passengers and regulatory bodies.
News Source:
Boeing lays off 180 engineers in Bengaluru. (2025, March 10). Retrieved from https://ascendants.in/business-stories/boeing-lays-off-180-engineers-bengaluru/
