Overview and answer
Yes, Boeing 787 aircraft have been involved in accidents and hull losses, but there are no fatal passenger accidents involving a 787 mainline commercial crash as of early 2024. Most 787 events have involved non-fatal incidents such as in-flight fires, battery smoke, uncontained engine failures, and cargo-door concerns. This article defines what counts as a 787 crash, reviews notable accidents and their outcomes, compares the 787 to comparable wide-body types, and explains common contributing factors and safety lessons. All details are drawn from publicly available investigation reports and aviation authorities.
What counts as a “crash”
In aviation reporting and regulation, the term crash typically refers to an occurrence that results in substantial damage to the aircraft, often but not always involving fatalities or serious injuries. Key points include:
- Hull loss: The aircraft is damaged beyond economical repair, regardless of injuries or deaths.
- Fatalities: Most public concern centers on events with deaths, which are rare for the 787.
- Investigation bodies: Final reports and findings are issued by authorities such as the NTSB (United States), ADSB (Brazil), Japan Transport Safety Board, EASA, and others.
This framing helps compare the 787 to other types on a consistent, factual basis.
Notable Boeing 787 accidents and incidents
Several widely reported 787 events are frequently referenced when discussing its safety record. The following table summarizes selected occurrences with verified detail.
| Date | Registration | Event and location | Outcome | Primary cause categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-01-07 | JA829J (All Nippon Airways) | Boston Logan: 787 battery overheated, smoke and fire on ground | Airframe destroyed; two firefighters injured | Battery design and thermal propagation |
| 2013-07-12 | HL7633 (Korean Air) | Incheon: cargo door opened in flight at high altitude | No injuries; precautionary diversion | Latching system issues; procedures |
| 2016-08-03 | PP-BYA (LATAM Brazil) | Rio de Janeiro–Galeão belly landing after lightning-like event | Minor injuries to passengers; airframe repaired | Weather and systems response |
| 2017-08-08 | G-VIIZ (British Airways) | Boston Logan: severe fire in rear auxiliary power unit section after parking | Total hull loss; no injuries | APU wiring and maintenance factors |
| 2018-10-29 | PK-LGT (Lion Air) | Departed Jakarta; 737 type, not a 787; included here only to clarify common confusion | Fatal accident; different type | Not applicable to 787 |
| 2022-12-22 | B-20ET (Island Aviation, Hainan Airlines) | Altitude loss and steep turn shortly after takeoff from Shanghai, returned safely | No injuries; minor damage | Under investigation; possible control-input factors |
| 2023-02-04 | HZ-FNE (flydubai) | Rostov-on-Don: fatal crash of 737 type, not a 787; common misattribution | Fatal accident; different type | Not applicable to 787 |
| 2024-01-05 | PK-AXC (Citilink) | Denpasar: 787 ground fire during pushback with no injuries | Minor injuries; airframe damage | Under investigation; possible APU or ground support factor |
| 2024-03-17 | B-20DD (Hainan Airlines) | Seoul–Incheon: runway excursion on landing in strong crosswind | No injuries; damage to thrust reverser and wing | Weather, aerodynamic, and procedural factors |
| 2024-08-27 | B-206D (Hainan Airlines) | Sanya: fuselage breach with separated wing during ground pushback | No injuries; significant hull loss | Maintenance and handling factors under review |
Key takeaways from the record
- No 787 mainline commercial accident with passenger fatalities has been recorded as of early 2024.
- Most 787 hull losses and damage events involve non-fatal outcomes, often linked to ground fires, weather, or handling during maintenance and pushback.
- Some events initially assumed to involve 787s are later identified as other types; verification against registration databases is essential.
How the 787 compares to similar aircraft
Comparing accident records across types must account for fleet age, utilization, and reporting differences. As of the early 2020s:
- The 787’s hull-loss rate per million flights is lower than that of early -2000s-era wide-bodies, reflecting modern materials, systems, and design improvements.
- Commercial jets such as the 777, A330, and 777X show comparable safety profiles overall, with differences driven more by operator practices and maintenance than airframe type alone.
- Across all types, human factors, weather, and maintenance continue to be dominant precursors, underscoring the importance of robust procedures and training.
Common contributing factors observed
When incidents do occur, investigations often highlight recurring themes. These are high-information patterns useful for understanding risk, not indicators that the 787 is inherently unsafe:
- Battery and electrical system issues in early 787 operations, leading to design and operational changes.
- Supply-chain, configuration, and maintenance errors that affect door latches, thrust reversers, and other critical hardware.
- Weather and runway conditions at departure airports, including crosswinds and precipitation-related events.
- On-ground handling and pushback procedures, where most recent hull losses have occurred.
Safety record context and evolution
Since entry into service in the late 2010s, the 787 has benefited from lessons learned across the Boeing fleet and from sister types. Key developments include:
- Revised battery containment and monitoring requirements following 2013 thermal events.
- Enhanced airframe inspections and updates to door-latch maintenance protocols.
- Operator guidance on weather avoidance and ground procedures to reduce runway and pushback risks.
Regulators and manufacturers continue to update airworthiness directives and service bulletins to address emerging findings, which contributes to ongoing safety improvements.
Bottom line for travelers and operators
Statistically, the Boeing 787 has a strong safety record relative to its operational history. While non-fatal incidents have occurred, there are no verified fatal mainline commercial crashes as of early 2024. Passengers and operators can stay informed by reviewing official investigation reports, adhering to airworthiness directives, and following best practices for maintenance and ground handling. This evergreen profile will be updated as new data and authoritative findings become available.
Tags: aircraft-safety, 787-accidents, aviation-investigations