Boeing Avoids Criminal Charges Over 737 Max Crashes

Boeing will not face criminal conspiracy charges over two 737 Max jetliner crashes that resulted in the deaths of 346 people, following a ruling by a federal judge in Texas. This decision came after the government requested to dismiss the case, allowing Boeing to avoid a potentially damaging jury trial.

In exchange for dropping the charge, Boeing has agreed to pay or invest an additional $1.1 billion in fines, compensation for victims' families, and enhance internal safety and quality measures. Notably, the agreement permits Boeing to select its own compliance consultant rather than having an independent monitor.

Prosecutors have accused Boeing of deceiving regulators about a flight-control system implicated in these crashes. The judge, Reed O'Connor, expressed concerns that the deal lacks adequate accountability, stating it 'fails to secure the necessary accountability to ensure the safety of the flying public.' Despite this, he acknowledged the government's decision serves the public interest and that they had acted in good faith.

All passengers and crew aboard the Lion Air flight in Indonesia and the Ethiopian Airlines flight perished in these incidents. The crashes occurred less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019. Many relatives of the victims expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling, with some planning to appeal.

Paul Njoroge, who lost his wife and three children in the Ethiopia crash, criticized the decision, arguing it undermines trust and deterrence in aviation safety. The Justice Department indicated that a majority of the families of the victims either support the deal or did not oppose it, while nearly 100 families have voiced their opposition.

The 737 Max was introduced in 2017 as Boeing's response to Airbus's fuel-efficient models, but it featured significant changes, including a new automated flight-control system that Boeing did not fully disclose.

Investigations revealed that this software malfunctioned, leading to both crashes. Following the Ethiopia crash, the 737 Max was grounded globally for 20 months. Boeing's ongoing civil litigation continues, with the first trial related to the Ethiopia crash underway in Chicago, where jurors will determine the compensation owed to the family of one victim.