Sources: 
The recent crash of Air India flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad, which tragically killed 274 people, has brought renewed scrutiny to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft’s undercarriage failure during the short flight signals deeper systemic issues in Boeing’s manufacturing and quality control processes.
For over 15 years, engineers and quality control experts have warned about persistent flaws in the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing’s first clean-sheet commercial airplane since its 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas. These concerns include assembly line sloppiness and rushed workmanship, which have led to recurring engine and component problems.
“The 787 Dreamliner has been plagued by engine problems partially caused by the abundance of so-called Boeing assembly line workers chronically leave on aircraft components in their haste to move to the next task,” one report noted.
Cynthia Kitchens, a former quality manager at Boeing’s Charleston plant, documented numerous quality defects in early 787 deliveries, with six of the eleven most problematic planes going to Air India.
Veteran pilot Captain Rakesh Rai, who flew the Dreamliner for Air India until last year, observed that the aircraft’s undercarriage remained extended throughout the doomed flight, indicating a critical mechanical failure.
“It generally takes, he’d say with audible sadness, ten or twelve years for assembly-line sloppiness to culminate in a plane crash,” underscoring the long-term consequences of Boeing’s production issues.
This crash has intensified calls for regulators and airlines to rigorously reassess the 787 Dreamliner’s safety and Boeing’s manufacturing standards to prevent future tragedies.
Sources: Air India flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad, killing 274 people. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s undercarriage failure during the flight highlights deeper assembly and quality control flaws in the aircraft, raising concerns about Boeing’s production standards since its 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas.
