Boeing’s fragile comeback story may have just suffered a devastating blow.
On Thursday, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 out of 242 people on board. The incident marks the first-ever fatal crash involving a 787, Boeing’s most advanced wide-body jet, and comes just as the company was rebuilding trust following years of regulatory setbacks.
The timing couldn’t be worse for CEO Kelly Ortberg, who had planned to lead Boeing’s delegation at the Paris Air Show next week. Instead, he’s grounded the trip and pledged Boeing’s full cooperation with Indian authorities. “Safety is foundational to our industry,” Ortberg said, promising that technical teams are ready to support the investigation.
Boeing Share Price Drops as Crash Triggers Investor Caution
Shares of NYSE: BA fell nearly 5% following the crash, closing near $203.75 after touching highs above $216 earlier this week. The drop reflects growing concerns over the Dreamliner’s safety profile and the potential regulatory and reputational fallout.
From a technical standpoint, Boeing stock broke below the $210 zone, confirming weakness in momentum. The next major support lies at $191.48, a critical level from April’s breakout structure. A deeper pullback could expose the stock to $162.44, especially if broader sentiment sours during the Paris event.
- MACD: Bearish crossover forming, hinting at slowing upside momentum
- RSI: Now at 60.26, retreating from overbought territory
Boeing Faces a Public Trust Crisis Once Again
With more than 300 new aircraft orders secured recently and 737 production scaling up, Boeing had been working hard to shake off its legacy of missteps. But now, with the 787 Dreamliner under intense scrutiny, Ortberg’s leadership will be tested not just on engineering, but on transparency and brand resilience.
The crash may not have been caused by a structural flaw, but the perception damage is already underway.
Conclusion
The recovery of the black box in Ahmedabad has already set the stage for what may become the most closely scrutinised investigation in Boeing’s modern history. While the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, the damage to public trust is clear, and Boeing’s next chapter will be written under the sharpest spotlight it has faced in over a decade.