Eerily Similar Engine Failure, Boeing 787 Dreamliner Mayday

A recent emergency involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by United Airlines has raised fresh concerns about aircraft safety—particularly in light of the devastating crash of Air India Flight 171 just weeks earlier. Although the United flight returned to the airport and landed safely, the similarities in aircraft type, timing and power loss are difficult to ignore.

United Airlines Incident: A Narrow Escape

On July 23, a United Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner declared a mayday shortly after taking off from Washington Dulles International Airport after its right engine stopped working. The plane was headed to Munich but turned back and landed safely at the airport and thankfully, no one was hurt. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.

Air India Flight 171: A National Tragedy

On June 12, Air India Flight 171, another Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed immediately after takeoff off from Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The Dreamliner suffered loss of power in both engines; preliminary data indicates that fuel control valves were switched (currently unknown whether intentionally or not) from “RUN” to “CUTOFF.”  As a result, the plane crashed into a nearby medical college complex. 241 of 242 passengers were killed along with multiple people in the complex buildings and on the ground. This crash marks the deadliest Dreamliner incident in its history.

A Pattern of Concern

Both Dreamliner incidents involve the same aircraft type and occurred during the critical takeoff phase. While the United Airlines flight landed safely with no injuries, the Air India crash was a disaster. The investigation into Flight 171 is focused on the cause of the fuel valve changes but the fact that both engines failed at the same time raises serious questions about possible problems with the Dreamliner’s design or maintenance.

These incidents underscore the importance of proper design, careful checks, appropriate maintenance, and accountability in aviation for the safety of folks both onboard and on the ground.

Advocates for Safety

As the Air India investigation continues, the focus remains on discovering the truth behind the crash and ensuring that victims’ families have the voice, justice and support they deserve. We currently represent more than 60 families who lost their loved ones in this crash.

Mike Andrews, who led efforts for the firm following the Ethiopian Airlines crash in 2019, is helping families deal with the many complicated issues related to international aviation law. He is also monitoring other Boeing 787 incidents for any failure patterns and to advocate for improved aviation safety in the future.