Boeing Avoids Criminal Charges Over 737 Max Crashes

Boeing will not face criminal charges over the two crashes of its 737 Max aircraft that resulted in 346 fatalities, following a federal judge's decision to dismiss the case. According to NPR, this decision came after the U.S. government and Boeing reached a settlement that requires the aerospace giant to pay or invest an additional $1.1 billion.

This settlement includes compensation for the families of the crash victims and the implementation of internal safety and quality measures. Notably, Boeing will have the discretion to choose its own compliance consultant, rather than having an independent monitor assigned.

Prosecutors previously accused Boeing of deceiving regulators concerning a flight-control system linked to the crashes, but the judge ultimately determined that the resolution was in the public interest, despite expressing concerns about the lack of accountability.

The judge, Reed O'Connor, noted that while the deal fails to secure necessary accountability, he could not block it simply because he disagreed with the government's assessment. Emotional testimonies were presented at a hearing in September, where relatives of victims urged the judge to appoint a special prosecutor and expressed their discontent with the settlement.

Paul Njoroge, who lost his wife and three children in the Ethiopian Airlines crash, stated that the arrangement undermines trust and weakens safety deterrents for air travel. Boeing had previously entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in 2021, which was later violated, leading the company to plead guilty to defrauding the government.

The judge rejected a plea deal related to this charge, allowing the settlement to proceed. The 737 Max was grounded globally for 20 months following the crashes, which were attributed to a software malfunction that caused the aircraft to nosedive based on erroneous sensor data.

Boeing's lack of transparency regarding the system and its failure to inform regulatory authorities about software changes raised significant safety concerns. Since the crashes, Boeing has stated its commitment to enhancing safety, quality, and compliance protocols.

Meanwhile, ongoing civil trials are unfolding, with one case now being heard in Chicago concerning the victims of the Ethiopian crash, as families continue to seek justice and accountability for the lives lost.