An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The aircraft had 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Just five minutes after takeoff, it crashed into a residential area. Before the crash, the pilot had contacted ATC requesting emergency assistance, but the plane went down shortly afterward.
Price of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was launched on April 26, 2004. It is known for its fuel efficiency, with Boeing claiming the aircraft uses 20% less fuel compared to other commercial planes. It can cover a distance of up to 9,000 kilometers in a single flight. The price of a Boeing 787-8 is $243.6 million, which equals approximately ₹2,100 crore INR.
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When the Dreamliner Was Grounded Worldwide
In 2013, two Boeing 787-8 aircraft operated by a Japanese airline faced battery issues. One aircraft caught fire while parked at Boston Airport, and another had to make an emergency landing mid-air due to a similar battery malfunction. Following these incidents, countries around the world grounded all Dreamliner 787-8 aircraft for three months.
Manufacturing Issues with the Dreamliner
Between 2020 and 2022, multiple manufacturing defects were reported in the Boeing 787-8 models. Concerns included poorly joined parts, improper carbon fiber fittings, and uneven body alignments. These quality issues raised significant concerns about the aircraft’s long-term safety.
Despite being among the most advanced commercial planes, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has faced multiple controversies since its launch. The recent crash has once again put the aircraft and the company under intense global scrutiny.