Boeing, the aerospace behemoth, is on the verge of dodging criminal responsibility for two catastrophic crashes of its 737 Max jets. These incidents resulted in 346 fatalities. Both crashes were due to a riskily developed flight control programming. Pilots were unaware that this software was even installed on the aircraft. Now U.S. prosecutors have offered a compromise. If accepted, Boeing would be spared from any additional legal repercussions beyond the $2.5 billion plea agreement reached during the Biden administration.
Following these fatal crashes, Boeing was subject to significant consequences. This encompassed an incredible $2.5 billion settlement to pay fines and compensation to the families of the victims. The most recent event that sparked alarms was an incident in which an airplane door fell off an unused 737 Max mid-flight. This shocking incident forced a U.S. district court judge to toss out Boeing’s proposed settlement, wherein the company had admitted it would plead guilty to one count of fraud. The case being reopened opened the door to more questions about the company’s practices.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Boeing will be required to plead guilty to one charge of fraud. In addition, they will pay an enormous penalty of $243 million. The company would accept the oversight of a court-appointed monitor for a designated period to ensure compliance with safety standards and operational improvements. This is an enormous deal—with enormous implications. The case is scheduled for trial on June 23.
These developments have been greeted with skepticism from legal experts and civil rights advocacy groups. Erin Applebaum, an attorney working on the case, said the settlement would let Boeing off too easily.
“Boeing has never stood trial for the 346 lives lost due to its admitted crimes. Now, DOJ is prepared to let the company walk away, again, with no more than a financial penalty.” – Theo Leggett & Natalie Sherman
Applebaum stressed the point that the Department of Justice has not yet formally announced their intention to dismiss the charges. Their public statements suggest otherwise.
“While DOJ claims no final decision has been made, their scripted presentation made it clear that the outcome has already been decided.” – Erin Applebaum
The families of those lost in the crashes continue to seek accountability from Boeing, emphasizing that financial penalties alone do not address the gravity of the company’s actions. With negotiations still underway, the final deal is far from clear. It will certainly have profound ripple effects on Boeing’s future, and how the world views aviation safety.