The tragic crash of an Air India plane near Ahmedabad airport has shocked not only public opinion, but also the global aviation industry.
The incident, which occurred just minutes after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft took off for London, marks the first fatal accident in the 14-year history of this model.
The plane, part of Air India's modern fleet, was carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew, when it crashed into a boarding area near the airport, causing multiple fatalities, although the exact number has not yet been confirmed by authorities.
Flight AI171 ended in tragedy, marking a dark moment for one of Boeing's most successful models.
Just six weeks ago, the American company had celebrated a historic achievement for the Dreamliner.
This Boeing model had recorded the transportation of one billion passengers, through a global fleet of more than 1,175 aircraft that had completed nearly five million flights and over 30 million flight hours. This record had made the 787 a symbol of reliability and innovation.
But this fatal event comes as a serious blow to Boeing, which already faces major challenges after the crisis with the 737 MAX model, involved in several fatal accidents in recent years.
Eyes are now on CEO Kelly Ortberg, who is in his first year in office and is committed to restoring trust in the brand after a difficult period for the company.
In a brief official statement, Boeing said:
"We are aware of the initial reports and are working to gather more information."
While experts are examining the causes, including the possibility of a bird strike that may have damaged the plane's engines, the investigation is expected to be long and complex, including analysis of data recorded on the black boxes.
Meanwhile, Boeing shares recorded a decline today.
The American aircraft manufacturing company, which has been plagued by safety problems in recent years, saw its shares fall by up to 8%.