Washington DC – Families of victims who perished in the Boeing 737 MAX crashes are vehemently opposing a proposed plea deal offered by the US Justice Department (DOJ). The deal would allow Boeing to avoid a public trial in exchange for a fine and external oversight.
This news comes after the DOJ concluded in May that Boeing could be prosecuted for violating a previous agreement made following the two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which took 346 lives. The initial deal, a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA), saw Boeing pay $2.5 billion to settle fraud charges related to the 737 MAX certification.
However, renewed scrutiny arose in January 2024 after a Boeing 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a mid-flight fuselage panel blowout, forcing an emergency landing. This incident reignited concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing processes, prompting investigations from regulators and Congress.
“Families argued over and over for a trial and to allow a jury to make that decision,” said Paul Cassell, a lawyer representing the victims’ families. They have consistently urged prosecutors to pursue a formal trial rather than accept another settlement.
The proposed plea deal includes a fine for Boeing and the implementation of an external supervisor. Details were presented to the families on Sunday, sparking outrage.
“The families will strenuously object” to the agreement if presented to a judge, Cassell stated.
While prosecutors face pressure to pursue a trial to deliver justice to the families, there are also concerns about further damaging Boeing, a company considered crucial to the US aviation industry and national security.
The lead prosecutor acknowledged the families’ desire for a trial, “but he repeatedly said that the DOJ couldn’t prove charges by a reasonable doubt,” Cassell explained.
Boeing, though disagreeing with the DOJ’s findings in June, has acknowledged the severity of the safety issues. Their CEO, Dave Calhoun, recently confirmed his planned resignation later this year and stated the company is “taking action and making progress.”
The final decision regarding the plea deal rests with the federal judge overseeing the case in Texas.
