Analysts don’t expect jet disaster to hurt Boeing

The Boeing 777 is one of the safest planes on Earth, and the Malaysia Airlines crash Saturday should do nothing to tarnish that record — or that of parent company Boeing — unless a flaw is found to be a factor in the incident, analysts say.

“This is the best international plane ever built yet — it’s got an impeccable track record after 20 years and over 1,200 deliveries,” says Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group. “It’s established a new standard for international safety.”

The loss of contact with a plane carrying 239 people is Malaysia Airlines’ first major mishap in nearly 20 years.

The Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash that killed three people last July also involved a 777, which struck a seawall and broke apart at San Francisco’s airport. Federal investigators have focused on pilot training and confusion in that incident.

The Malaysia incident came the same day Boeing announced it found hairline cracks in the wings of 42 Dreamliner 787 planes under construction, but none in the 122 delivered. The problem arose because a supplier, Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, changed its manufacturing process, Boeing says.

Boeing ’s stock closed at $128.54 Friday, down 32 cents. It dropped 1.1% to $127.43 in after-hours trading.

The stock is up 58% the past 12 months.

“Absent inherent defects” to the airframe, engines, avionics or other equipment, “the operator is responsible for safe use,” says Robert Mann, an aviation consultant at R.W. Mann.

Boeing issued a statement saying it was assembling a team to offer technical assistance in investigating the incident, and that “our thoughts remain with all on board and their families.”