Family members of those killed in two Boeing 737 Max crashes are pushing a federal judge to reject a plea deal between the company and prosecutors.
Set for review on Friday in Fort Worth, Texas, the case addresses two separate crashes that killed 346 people in total in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
The agreement involves Boeing pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud as part of a settlement with the Justice Department.
Families of the crash victims have long criticized Boeing’s handling of the dispute.
“The families who lost loved ones in the 737 Max crashes deserve far more than the inadequate, superficial deal struck between Boeing and the Department of Justice,” said Erin Applebaum, an attorney representing some of the victims’ families.
“They deserve a transparent legal process that truly holds Boeing accountable for its actions.”
Nadia Milleron, the mother of Samya Stumo who was killed in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, reacts before an aviation subcommittee hearing on “Status of the Boeing 737 MAX: Stakeholder Perspectives.” at the Capitol in Washington, DC on June 19, 2019. Boeing’s current plea agreement for two crashes, killing 346 people, includes a $243.6 million fine, $455 million investment in safety programs, and three years of probation.
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
The Justice Department’s settlement with Boeing includes a fine of at least $243.6 million, a $455 million investment in compliance and safety programs, and a three-year probation period.
Lawyers for Boeing and the government defended the deal in court filings.
They stated it reflects the most serious charge they could prove—conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration.
Boeing is accused of misleading regulators about the safety of the Max during the approval process.
Specifically, the company allegedly downplayed the need for flight simulator training for pilots, which would have been a costlier requirement for airlines.
Prosecutors argue that they cannot prove Boeing’s actions directly caused the crashes, which occurred in 2018 and 2019.
A Boeing spokesperson commented on the plea agreement in July stating, “We will continue to work transparently with our regulators as we take significant actions across Boeing to further strengthen our safety, quality, and compliance programs.”
The company is aiming to resolve the matter while avoiding a criminal trial and focusing on restoring its reputation.
A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 departs from Los Angeles International Airport en route to San Salvador on Sept. 1, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. This type of aircraft has been grounded twice due to safety concerns—once following the crashes in this case, and again in 2024.
Kevin Carter/Getty Images
Families of the crash victims argue the company prioritized profits over safety.
The crashes were linked to a malfunctioning flight control system, known as MCAS, which repeatedly forced the aircraft’s nose down and led to the pilots losing control. The Max was grounded worldwide for nearly two years, and Boeing has since made software and training changes.
Friday’s hearing is expected to involve arguments from both sides, with U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor set to question the attorneys.
If the judge accepts Boeing’s guilty plea, he will also have to approve the agreed-upon sentence terms, with no option to impose different conditions.
The judge’s ruling timeline remains uncertain.
A full trial could potentially result in harsher penalties for Boeing, including more significant fines and stricter oversight.
The plea agreement has been characterized by the victims’ relatives as a “sweetheart deal” that favors Boeing, a major U.S. government contractor.
Boeing’s defense maintains that the settlement terms are fair and consistent with the legal precedent for similar cases.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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