The aviation industry, despite being one of the safest modes of transport, has witnessed several tragic incidents over the decades. Boeing, a leading manufacturer of commercial aircraft, has been involved in a significant share of these accidents. This article outlines over 20 major Boeing aircraft accidents from newest to oldest, offering a factual, professional, and world-class presentation for aviation experts, researchers, and safety analysts.
Boeing’s 20 Deadliest Plane Crashes
June 12, 2025 – Air India Flight AI 171 (Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner)
- Route: Ahmedabad → London Gatwick
- Fatalities: 269 (including ground casualties)
- Details: Crashed moments after takeoff into a residential building. The first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Investigation ongoing.
December 29, 2024 – Jeju Air Flight (Boeing 737-800)
- Location: South Korea
- Fatalities: 179
- Details: Fatal descent during bad weather conditions.
January 5, 2024 – Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 (737 MAX 9)
- Route: Portland → Ontario, CA
- Fatalities: None
- Details: Mid-air door panel blowout; emergency landing. Sparked renewed safety concerns over the 737 MAX 9.
March 21, 2022 – China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 (737-800)
- Route: Kunming → Guangzhou
- Fatalities: 132
- Details: Aircraft entered a steep nosedive; investigation suggested a possible intentional act.
Read More Article:
- Air India’s Darkest Days: Tragedies That Shook the Skies?
- Air India Flight AI 171: What Really Caused the Ahmedabad Plane Crash?
- Air India Flight Crash In Ahmedabad AI171, A Deep Dive into History’s Worst Air Disasters
- Silent Storms: How Ignoring Society and Climate Will Cost Us Everything
- Sustainable Living in 2025: Smart Changes That Save Money & The Planet
January 8, 2020 – UIA Flight PS752 (737-800)
- Route: Tehran → Kyiv
- Fatalities: 176
- Details: Shot down by Iranian missiles amid geopolitical tensions.
August 7, 2020 – Air India Express Flight 1344 (737-800)
- Route: Dubai → Kozhikode
- Fatalities: 19
- Details: Overshot runway in heavy rain. Pilot error and airport geography contributed.
March 10, 2019 – Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (737 MAX 8)
- Route: Addis Ababa → Nairobi
- Fatalities: 157
- Details: MCAS system malfunctioned; global MAX grounding followed.
October 29, 2018 – Lion Air Flight 610 (737 MAX 8)
- Route: Jakarta → Pangkal Pinang
- Fatalities: 189
- Details: First 737 MAX fatal crash; MCAS-related.
May 18, 2018 – Cubana Flight 972 (737-201Adv)
- Route: Havana → Holguín
- Fatalities: 112
- Details: Crashed after takeoff; aged aircraft and weight imbalance cited.
March 19, 2016 – Flydubai Flight 981 (737-800)
- Route: Dubai → Rostov-on-Don
- Fatalities: 62
- Details: Crashed during second landing attempt in poor weather.
January 16, 2017 – Turkish Cargo (Boeing 747)
- Route: Hong Kong → Istanbul
- Fatalities: 32 (including villagers on the ground)
July 17, 2014 – Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 (777- 200ER)
- Route: Amsterdam → Kuala Lumpur
- Fatalities: 298
- Details: Shot down over Ukraine by a surface-to-air missile.
March 8, 2014 – Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (777- 200ER)
- Route: Kuala Lumpur → Beijing
- Fatalities: 239
- Details: Disappeared; search yielded debris years later.
April 20, 2012 – Bhoja Air Flight (737)
- Location: Near Islamabad
- Fatalities: 127
November 17, 2013 – Tatarstan Airlines Flight (737)
- Route: Moscow → Kazan
- Fatalities: 50
May 22, 2010 – Air India Express Flight 812 (737-800)
- Route: Dubai → Mangalore
- Fatalities: 158
- Details: Overshot table-top runway.
January 25, 2010 – Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409 (737-800)
- Route: Beirut → Addis Ababa
- Fatalities: 90
July 8, 2011 – Hewa Bora Airways Flight (727)
- Fatalities: 74
- Details: Crashed in Congo amid poor weather.
May 5, 2007 – Kenya Airways Flight 507 (737-800)
- Route: Abidjan → Nairobi
- Fatalities: 114
September 14, 2008 – Aeroflot Flight 821 (737-500)
- Location: Perm, Russia
- Fatalities: 88
May 25, 2002 – China Airlines Flight 611 (747-209B)
- Route: Taipei → Hong Kong
- Fatalities: 225
- Details: Mid-air breakup from old repair failure.
Table: Summary of Major Boeing Aircraft Accidents
| Year | Flight | Aircraft Model | Fatalities | Cause/Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | AI 171 | 787-8 | 269 | Takeoff crash; 1st fatal Dreamliner crash |
| 2024 | Jeju Air | 737-800 | 179 | Weather-related descent |
| 2024 | Alaska 1282 | 737 MAX 9 | 0 | Door plug blowout; emergency landing |
| 2022 | MU5735 | 737-800 | 132 | Sudden dive; possible suicide or tech fault |
| 2020 | PS752 | 737-800 | 176 | Shot down over Iran |
| 2019 | ET302 | 737 MAX 8 | 157 | MCAS system failure |
| 2018 | JT610 | 737 MAX 8 | 189 | MCAS-related crash |
| 2018 | CU972 | 737-200 | 112 | Overload, old aircraft |
| 2016 | FZ981 | 737-800 | 62 | Weather; second landing attempt |
| 2014 | MH17 | 777-200 | 298 | Missile strike over Ukraine |
| 2014 | MH370 | 777-200 | 239 | Disappeared; unknown cause |
| 2012 | Bhoja | 737 | 127 | Storm, outdated systems |
| 2010 | IX812 | 737-800 | 158 | Lost in the storm post-takeoff |
| 2010 | ET409 | 737 | 90 | Weather/technical fault |
| 2007 | KQ507 | 737-800 | 114 | Lost in storm post-takeoff |
| 2002 | CI611 | 747-209 | 225 | Mid-air breakup due to poor repair |
- From Dreamliners to Disasters: Inside Boeing’s 20 Deadliest Plane Crashes
- Air India’s Darkest Days: Tragedies That Shook the Skies?
- Air India Flight AI 171: What Really Caused the Ahmedabad Plane Crash?
- Air India Flight Crash In Ahmedabad AI171, A Deep Dive into History’s Worst Air Disasters
- Operation Sindoor: Step-by-Step Official Briefing in One Place
Conclusion
This factual review underscores recurring patterns: automation system flaws (MCAS), geopolitical risks, runway challenges, aging aircraft, and adverse weather. Each incident not only shook public confidence but also shaped aviation regulations, pilot training, and aircraft design standards. As Boeing continues to play a pivotal role in global aviation, lessons from these tragedies remain critical to ensuring future safety.
FAQs: Boeing Plane Crashes
1. Why have Boeing planes been involved in so many major crashes recently?
Several Boeing crashes—especially those involving the 737 MAX—were linked to design flaws, particularly the MCAS system. Other causes include pilot error, poor maintenance, weather, and rare instances of deliberate sabotage or external attacks.
2. Which Boeing aircraft models have the worst safety records?
The Boeing 737 series, especially the 737 MAX 8, has been involved in multiple high-fatality incidents. The Boeing 747 and 777 have also seen catastrophic crashes, though their overall flight safety records are still strong in proportion to usage.
3. Is it still safe to fly on Boeing aircraft today?
Yes—modern Boeing planes are statistically safe, and most issues have been addressed through redesigns and regulatory oversight. However, ongoing scrutiny remains due to recent fatal crashes and manufacturing concerns, especially in newer models.
1 thought on “From Dreamliners to Disasters: Inside Boeing’s 20 Deadliest Plane Crashes”