Boeing reaches deal with DOJ to avoid prosecution over 737 Max crashes

From CNBC: 2025-05-23 16:28:00

Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash killed 346 people near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in March 2019. The U.S. Justice Department reached a deal with Boeing to avoid prosecution over the crashes of its 737 Max planes. Boeing will pay over $1.1 billion in criminal fines, fund for crash victims, and more.

The non-prosecution deal with Boeing allows the company to avoid being labeled a felon and trial, resolving the case of the two deadly crashes. The agreement guarantees accountability and benefits from Boeing immediately, while avoiding litigation risks. Boeing has faced criticism from families of crash victims for previous deals.

Boeing was grounded after the two crashes, giving Airbus a competitive advantage. Families of the crash victims want more accountability from Boeing and for executives to stand trial. Boeing reached a previous settlement in 2021 and will now pay over $1.1 billion under the new agreement.

Boeing was accused of misleading regulators about the flight-control system on the Max. Messages revealed Boeing employees concealed information from the FAA and engaged in efforts to cover up their deception. Boeing’s former pilot, Mark Forkner, was acquitted of fraud charges in 2022 related to the Max’s development.



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