TLDR
- Boeing stock fell 1.3% to $197.68 as investigation into Air India 787 crash continues
- Emergency power generator was active during flight, suggesting possible dual engine failure
- Dual engine failure is considered extremely rare according to aviation experts
- Boeing missed sales opportunities at Paris Air Show due to crash investigation
- Airbus secured 148 orders at Paris Air Show while Boeing postponed announcements
Boeing shares dropped Wednesday as new details emerged about the Air India 787 crash that killed 241 people last week. The stock fell 1.3% to $197.68 while broader markets remained mostly flat.
The investigation has revealed that Flight 171 had its emergency power generator active during the fatal flight. This ram air turbine typically only deploys when both engines fail or during major electrical failures.
The emergency generator discovery suggests the plane may have experienced dual engine failure. Aviation safety consultant Anthony Brickhouse called such failures “extremely rare.”
The 12-year-old Boeing 787 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India on June 12. It was bound for the UK with 242 people aboard.
Only one person survived the crash. Vishwashkumar Ramesh, 40, reported hearing loud noises and seeing flickering lights before impact.
The pilots made a mayday call reporting “no lift” before the aircraft went down. Videos appear to show the ram air turbine deployed before the crash.
Both black boxes have been recovered from the wreckage. These flight data recorders should provide more details about what happened during the final moments.
The aircraft had accumulated 41,700 flight hours over 7,800 flights. It underwent a comprehensive C check inspection in 2023.
The engines were overhauled earlier in 2025 following standard procedures. The plane was powered by GE Aerospace engines.
Investigation Continues
Indian aviation authorities are leading the crash investigation. No official cause has been determined yet.
Boeing and GE Aerospace have not commented on the ram air turbine deployment. Companies typically defer to investigating authorities during active investigations.
Air India operates more than 30 Boeing 787 jets. The airline completed safety inspections on its fleet without finding material issues.
Another Air India 787 experienced technical problems Monday. Flight 315 from Hong Kong turned around safely after takeoff.
There is no indication the Monday incident is related to last week’s crash. The exact cause of the turnaround has not been disclosed.
Paris Air Show Impact
The crash investigation hurt Boeing’s performance at this week’s Paris Air Show. Boeing postponed commercial announcements it planned to make at the event.
Airbus took advantage of Boeing’s absence from the spotlight. The European manufacturer secured 148 orders with another 258 potentially coming later.
Two airlines placed orders for 16 Airbus aircraft on the show’s third day. Boeing may have made sales but will not announce them during the investigation.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his plans to attend the Paris Air Show. GE Aerospace also delayed its analyst event at the show.
The 787 had never been involved in a fatal crash before this incident. The twin-aisle jet was introduced in 2011 and is considered one of Boeing’s most advanced aircraft.
Boeing stock has lost almost $14 since the crash occurred. The shares hit a high of $205.31 Tuesday before closing down 0.8%.
The National Transportation Safety Board issued a separate safety recommendation for Boeing 737 MAX jets Wednesday. The recommendation addressed smoke prevention if birds are sucked into engines.
GE Aerospace stock has fallen about 4% since the crash. The broader S&P 500 index is down about 1% over the same period.
Boeing shares remain down 6% since the crash occurred last Thursday. Wall Street analysts maintain a Strong Buy rating with an average price target of $221.56.
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