Boeing shares tank after China Eastern Airlines plane crash

by · New York Post

Boeing’s stock dropped by as much as 8% in premarket trading Monday following reports that one of its planes operated by China Eastern Airlines has crashed with 132 passengers on board

The plane was a 6-year-old Boeing 737-800 model — not one of the 737 Max variety that were grounded around the world after deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. The 737 Max has yet to return to service in China. 

By the end of the day, Boeing shares regained some of their poise, with the stock ending down 3.6% at $185.90. 

The Civil Aviation Administration of China confirmed China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 had crashed in the southern province of Guangxi.

All feared dead 

The Civil Aviation Administration of China confirmed China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 had crashed in the southern province of Guangxi with 123 passengers and nine crew members on board. 

There was no confirmation on the number of injuries or casualties, though media reports said first responders found no signs of survivors. 

Debris from the China Eastern Airlines plane crash is found in the mountains.
Boeing 737-800 planes comprise a significant portion of China Eastern’s fleet.

“Can confirm the plane has crashed,” China Eastern Airlines said in a statementon the incident. 

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. Boeing said it was aware of reports the plane had crashed and was “working to gather more information.” 

The crash comes at a sensitive time for Boeing in China, where the plane-maker is nearing the Max’s return to service after a three-year grounding there. 

Boeing shares have been under pressure following deadly crashes involving its 737 Max model.

China’s safety regulator, the CAAC, recertified the aircraft in December last year — more than a year after the US Federal Aviation Administration approved the fixes and one of the last jurisdictions to do so — but Chinese carriers are still due to bring the plane it back into service. 

Rough year 

Boeing has increased production after a halt in air travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The manufacturer’Its stock has been under pressure following the 737 Max crashes — sinking nearly 25% over the last 12 months. 

China Eastern Airlines is one of the country’s three largest carriers. Boeing 737-800 planes comprise a significant portion of its fleet. 

Data from flight tracking serviceer FlightRadar24 showed the plane was traveling at about 30,000 feet when it “started to lose altitude very fast,” with a vertical descent of 31,000 feet per minute. The plane 

The aircraft was traveling at 523 mph at the start of its descent and crashed at around 2:30 p.m. local time.“The agency is ready to assist in investigation efforts if asked,” the FAA said in a statement. 

The US Federal Aviation Administration also confirmed it was “aware of reports that a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane crashed this morning in China.”

With Post Wires