Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) stock dipped following the crash of Air India Flight AI171, but recovered steadily in the weeks that followed. Shares climbed toward 52-week highs after a preliminary investigation report recommended no action for 787-8 operators or the manufacturer. From a post-crash low of $203.75 on June 12, Boeing stock rose to approximately $230.51 by July 14 — a gain of over 13% in just one month, reflecting the market reaction post AI171 crash.
This article tracks Boeing’s stock performance from June through mid-July, aligned with key developments in the crash and its investigation. It highlights the market reaction to the AI171 crash and how investor sentiment shifted as findings emerged.
(Graph recreated using stock price data from Yahoo Finance, accessed July 16, 2025)
The Crash and Market Reaction
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171 — a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner — crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, bound for London Gatwick. The crash sent shock waves through the aviation industry, marking the first-ever hull loss of a Boeing 787
The market responded swiftly. Boeing shares dropped from a pre-crash close of $214.00 on June 11 to $203.75 on June 12, wiping out weeks of gains. With memories of past safety controversies still fresh, the dip reflected fears of systemic faults or regulatory action.
Flatlined but Not Free-Falling
Unlike previous Boeing crises, no immediate airworthiness directive (AD) followed. The FAA and DGCA signaled a wait-and-watch stance. Meanwhile, Boeing emphasized it was cooperating with investigators and stood by the 787’s safety record.
Between June 12 and June 26, the stock traded mostly flat, hitting a low of $197.68 at one point but then hovering around $200–$202, suggesting that investors were awaiting clarity before reacting further. The broader aerospace and travel sector, meanwhile, remained resilient, offering some cushion.
Preliminary Report Sparks Relief Rally
From July 9, early details of the investigation emerged in the market, as The Air Current and The Wall Street Journal published source-based reports highlighting the movement of engine fuel control switches and crew actions.
Two days later, on July 11, India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report, indicating that the engine fuel control switches had been moved to the CUTOFF position shortly after takeoff, leading to a dual engine shutdown. The engines were restarted but it was too late to avoid tragedy. The report included excerpts from cockpit voice recordings, placing the spotlight on crew actions. Importantly, no action or technical directive was recommended for Boeing or 787 operators.
This was followed by a Continued Airworthiness Notification issued privately by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to civil aviation authorities worldwide. The notification as reported by Reuters stated: “Although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787.”
The preliminary report, along with the subsequent FAA notification, helped ease market concerns about Boeing. Shares began climbing as early reports reached the market, rising from $218.52 on July 8 to $226.60 on July 9 — a gain of nearly 3.7% in a single day.
Post-Report Surge to 52-Week High
The rally didn’t stop there. Boeing shares continued to climb in the following days, reaching a new 52-week high and closing near $230.51 on July 14. The surge mirrored broader momentum in airline stocks and aerospace indices.
It is noteworthy that the AAIB published the report at around 2:00 a.m. IST on Saturday, July 12, which is just before U.S. markets closed on Friday, July 11. As a result, the report’s findings were only fully reflected in market prices when U.S. trading reopened on July 14.
Stock Performance Timeline
(Stock price data sourced from Yahoo Finance, accessed July 16, 2025)
| Date | Event | Adj. Close (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| June 2-10 | Baseline | 209.02-217.51 |
| June 11, 2025 | Pre-crash | 214.00 |
| June 12, 2025 | AI171 crash | 203.75 |
| June 13–26 | Flat period, low $200s | 197.68–202.58 |
| July 8, 2025 | 218.52 | |
| July 9, 2025 | Early details of the investigation prior to the release of Preliminary report on July 11 | 226.60 |
| July 14, 2025 | First trading day after the release of Preliminary report -52-week high | 230.51 |
Sharp criticism of the preliminary report in Indian media and aviation circles has had little apparent impact on Boeing’s upward stock trajectory. A final report from the AAIB is expected in 2026 and may include further findings and recommendations based on a comprehensive investigation.
Source: Yahoo Finance, historical data for Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA), accessed July 16, 2025.
Read: “Why Did You Cutoff?” – A Timeline of Horror in the Air India AI171 Crash
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