Thu Jun 12 15:30:25 UTC 2025: **Air India Dreamliner Crashes in Ahmedabad, Sparking Safety Concerns**

**Ahmedabad, India** – An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flight AI 171 bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad this afternoon, carrying 242 passengers and crew. The incident is being described as one of the worst aviation disasters in recent history. There is at least one survivor.

The crash has immediately reignited concerns about the safety of the Dreamliner, a long-range aircraft marketed for its fuel efficiency and advanced technology. The spotlight is now on previous allegations made by Boeing whistleblowers, who claimed assembly defects and prioritizing profit over safety may compromise the aircraft’s structural integrity.

Last year, Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour accused the company of putting profit over safety, and retaliating against him after he raised concerns by involuntarily transferring him to the 777 program. He reported that small gaps and improper assembly in the fuselage could lead to premature wear and potential structural failure. These claims are denied by Boeing and the FAA says the 787s in use are in compliance with current safety regulations.

Adding to the controversy, another whistleblower, Richard Cuevas, came forward in June 2023, alleging he faced retaliation after flagging potentially dangerous manufacturing issues regarding the forward pressure bulkhead, a component critical for maintaining pressure during flights. Cuevas worked as a contractor for Spirit AeroSystems, which builds fuselages for the Dreamliner.

Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Boeing has stated its readiness to support Air India in the investigation. The pilots gave a mayday call to the ATC soon after takeoff, however, there was no response after calls were made by the ATC. Of the 242 people, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for the future of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the aviation industry as a whole.

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