A "write-off" means a dead asset with no hope for recovery or payback. It's a real loss that's finally being recognized on paper.
Not at all, it was a Write down on Cseries, Lear 85 was a write off. A write down aligns book value to the value derived within a relevant accounting period. It will take BBD about 6-8 years to make back the money they sunk into Cseries that is in excess of reasonable by GAAP standards, so they have the leeway to take the write down. When new management joins, you take EVERY writedown you can. It can only make you look better and your bonuses bigger down the road.