Air India crash puts spotlight on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner safety and the company's recent troubles
The Air India plane crash on Thursday is putting a renewed spotlight on Boeing, the manufacturer of the 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft that crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad with 242 passengers and crew on board.
Boeing says the 787-8 is the aviation industry's "best-selling passenger widebody of all time," carrying more than one billion passengers since it was first delivered to airlines in 2011.
"We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected," Boeing said in a statement to CBS News.
Shares of Boeing fell $15.34, or 7.2%, to $198.66 in pre-market trading.
First crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
The Air India incident represents the first crash of a 787-8 Dreamliner, although the aircraft has been involved in previous investigations.
The Federal Aviation Administration last year ordered inspections of the cockpit seats on the Dreamliners after one of the jets went into a dive when the captain's seat lurched forward without warning and disconnected the plane's autopilot system, according to the Associated Press.
Last year, a whistleblower's allegations prompted the FAA to investigate his claims about assembly defects in the company's 787 Dreamliner.
Sam Salehpour, a Boeing quality engineer, said "he observed shortcuts taken by Boeing" during the assembly of the plane, "resulting in drilling debris left in interfaces and deformation of composite material," CBS News reported. He also claimed to have witnessed issues with the 777 assembly process, according to a letter sent by Salehpour's lawyers to the FAA last year.
For now, it is unclear if those reported issues are linked in any way to the Air India crash.
The Dreamliner in the Air India crash
The aircraft involved in the Air India crash was first delivered to the airline in January 2014. It was on its way from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad to London's Gatwick airport when it crashed shortly after its departure.
The plane had logged more than 41,000 hours of flying time, with almost 8,000 takeoffs and landings, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm. Air India operates 190 aircraft, with an average age of 8.4 years, Cirium said.
There are more than 1,100 Dreamliners operating across the globe today, with the aircraft having been in operation for an average of 7.5 years, Cirium noted.
Other Boeing safety issues
The incident comes after a string of safety issues for Boeing, which has faced investigations and lawsuits for two crashes involving its 737 Max jetliners that killed a total of 346 people.
In May, the aircraft manufacturer reached a $1.1 billion deal with the Department of Justice that allows it to avoid prosecution for the crashes, which occurred in 2018 and 2019.
—With reporting by CBS News' Kathryn Krupnik and Kris Van Cleave
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Longtime spokesperson Tom Bodett sues Motel 6
The Brief Tom Bodett filed a federal lawsuit against Motel 6, claiming the chain used his voice and name without authorization after their contract ended. The dispute stems from a missed $1.2 million payment and the breakdown of a nearly 40-year partnership between Bodett and the motel brand. Motel 6's parent company, G6 Hospitality, said it was surprised by the lawsuit but expressed appreciation for Bodett's contributions. Tom Bodett, whose warm baritone and iconic line "we'll leave the light on for you" made him the voice of Motel 6 for nearly four decades, is suing the motel chain and its parent company for alleged unauthorized use of his name and voice. According to a lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan federal court, Bodett said he ended his relationship with Motel 6 after its new owner, India-based travel firm OYO, failed to make a $1.2 million annual payment due on Jan. 7. Their contract was set to expire in November. The backstory Despite the contract lapse, Bodett claims Motel 6 continued using his voice and name on its national reservation phone line. The lawsuit alleges violations of both his contract rights and federal trademark law. Bodett said he attempted to reach a confidential settlement that would honor his legacy and protect Motel 6's reputation and franchisees, but accused the company of responding with "misrepresentations, obfuscations, and delay tactics." The lawsuit seeks $1.2 million in owed compensation, along with additional damages and a share of profits. What they're saying A spokesperson for G6 Hospitality, the parent company of Motel 6, said the company was "surprised" by Bodett's lawsuit but indicated it hoped for an amicable resolution. "We appreciate Mr. Bodett's contributions over the past years," the spokesperson said. "Of course, we will continue to advertise keeping the lights on for you." Bodett, when contacted by email, told Reuters: "The complaint says all there is to say." Tom Bodett became Motel 6's lead spokesman in 1986 and said he coined the phrase "we'll leave the light on for you" during an unscripted ad-lib. His voice became synonymous with the brand's down-to-earth identity and was featured in both radio and TV campaigns for decades. In addition to his advertising work, Bodett is known for his appearances on National Public Radio and for narrating several Ken Burns documentaries. What's next The lawsuit, Bodett et al v G6 Hospitality LLC et al, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It could set a notable precedent for voice usage and contract rights in long-term brand relationships, especially as companies change ownership. The Source This report is based on original reporting from Reuters, which first detailed the lawsuit filed by Tom Bodett against Motel 6 and its parent company G6 Hospitality. The article includes direct quotes from legal filings and statements provided to Reuters by both Bodett and Motel 6.
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Bloomberg
The Story Behind Singapore's Ultra-Valuable Land Swap
Each week we bring you insights into one of Asia's most dynamic economies. If you haven't yet, please sign up here. This week, Low De Wei looks at the story behind a chunk of jungle in the heart of Singapore that's said to be worth as much as $3 billion, while Danny Lee examines the jet tragedy in India.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Fauré Le Page Doesn't Identify As A Luxury Brand—Why That Matters
The Ladies First Bag is the Parisian Chic House's new, all-leather piece. It's rare for a heritage fashion house to dismiss the luxury label outright—especially one with 300 years of history. Yet at the recent Manila launch of Fauré Le Page's Ladies First bag, Augustin de Buffévent, the brand's Artistic & Communications Director, was quick to reject the term. 'We have nothing to do with luxury,' he stated in a matter-of-fact tone. 'We are a Parisian chic house and I am not at ease with the concept of luxury. To me, it doesn't mean anything anymore.' That distinction matters. Across Asia, brands are being forced to rethink what luxury actually means. According to a report, 87% of consumers now favor timelessness over trends while 80–92% rank material quality and craftsmanship above brand prestige when defining luxury. Meanwhile, the industry faces a reckoning with another industry report estimating the loss of some 50 million luxury buyers last year as inflation eats into purchasing power. In that context, Fauré Le Page's position feels less rebellious than it does well-calculated. The Ladies First bag marks a quiet milestone for the house. It's their first all-leather line, made from full-grain Armure Leather inspired by 18th-century cuirasses. The silhouette is structured but feminine, blending heritage with ease. Barrel-shaped clasps and bullet-like zipper pulls are subtle nods to the brand's origin as a purveyor of firearms to French nobility—though de Buffévent is quick to clarify: 'It's not a weapon. It's a weapon of seduction.' There's no rush here. Unlike fast‑fashion cycles or trendier labels vying for virality, Fauré Le Page plays a long game. 'Long-lasting items take time. We don't follow the crazy rhythm of fashion,' says de Buffévent. With rigorous 'torture tests' built into production, each bag is crafted to last—preferably a decade or more. He beams, 'I'm proud when I see someone carrying the same bag after ten years. Even more when my daughters steal bags from my wife.' I'm proud when I see someone carrying the same bag after ten years. Even more when my daughters steal bags from my wife. This slow‑craft approach aligns with evolving consumer behavior. A recent study found that 87% of luxury buyers across China, Japan, and Southeast Asia now prioritize quality, craftsmanship, and long‑term value over mere brand prestige, underscoring the rising demand for meaningful, substance‑driven luxury. The timing couldn't be more relevant. Some of the industry's biggest players have faced criticism over quality despite hiking prices. In May of this year, a TikTok user went viral after claiming that the straps of her Goyard St. Louis PM tote melted during a warm spring day, leaving stains on her shirt and questions about the bag's durability. It wasn't even summer yet. Incidents like this are fueling conversations about whether today's 'luxury' still lives up to the name. Other labels haven't been spared either: Chanel's classic flap bags have drawn complaints over uneven stitching and delicate leather, while Prada's nylon pieces have been criticized for fraying seams and faulty zippers after minimal use—all despite repeated price hikes in the last few years. So, who is the Ladies First bag made for? Forget demographics. 'I hate the term 'fashion victim,'' de Buffévent says. 'Women should create their own style. This bag is the perfect accessory for that.' With its sturdy form, refined detailing, and rich symbolism, it's less about signaling wealth and more about wearing conviction. At the launch of Fauré Le Page's Ladies First bag in Manila. Nikki Huang (Rustan's Commercial Group Merchandising Consultant), Augustin de Buffevént (Fauré Le Page Artistic & Communications Director), Anton Huang (SSI Group President) and Stephanie Chong (Fauré Le Page Philippines General Manager) Rather than chasing the new, Fauré Le Page refines what's already timeless. 'We're not in the fashion business,' he reiterates. 'Quality is at the heart.' And for a growing number of buyers, that's where real luxury now lives. In a market bloated with disposable 'It' bags and seasonal logo drops, Fauré Le Page offers a slower and sturdy alternative: one that values craft over clout, style over spectacle. With Ladies First, they are launching a new silhouette while sending a message. For those who are done with flash and ready for substance, this may be the new standard of luxury.
