Shares of Boeing Co. dropped nearly 4.7% to approximately $204 on Thursday, after an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The aircraft, Flight AI171, was en route to London Gatwick with 242 people on board including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. All 242 individuals are presumed dead, with at least 200 bodies recovered from the crash site.
New York Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs and a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, stated today:
“The deadly crash of this Air India flight is devastating, and my heart is with the victims and their families, and all who are affected by this horrible tragedy. I am deeply saddened by the large loss of life and I’m praying for all who have lost loved ones. I thank the first responders who rushed to the scene of the accident, and my office stands ready to assist constituents who may have family members that have been impacted.”
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This incident marks the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model known for its fuel efficiency and advanced composite materials. The aircraft had accumulated 41,700 flight hours over 7,800 flights and had no prior history of fatal accidents. The crash occurred in the Meghani area of Ahmedabad, where the plane collided with a hostel building, causing significant casualties on the ground.
Boeing has expressed condolences and pledged full cooperation with the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The company faces heightened scrutiny due to its history with the 737 Max series, which was grounded following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Weeks prior to the crash, Boeing reached a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that enabled it to escape prosecution for a fraud charge related to two 737 Max crashes, which killed 346 people. This agreement will allow Boeing — which is a major military contractor and top U.S. exporter to avoid prosecution, and to not be labelled a felon.
Under the agreement, Boeing had to “pay or invest” more than $1.1 billion, the DOJ said in its filing in federal court in Texas.
The crash has raised concerns about the safety of the Boeing 787, potentially impacting investor confidence and the company’s financial stability. Boeing’s stock had recently rebounded, gaining nearly 25% in 2025 after a challenging 2024, but this new incident may affect its recovery trajectory.