The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly close to finalizing a non-prosecution agreement with Boeing regarding the deadly crashes of its 737 Max planes. The two tragic accidents—one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019—claimed 346 lives and led to a worldwide grounding of the aircraft model.
Families of Victims Express Strong Opposition
On Friday, families of those who died were informed about the possible deal and reacted with shock and anger. Their lawyers described the DOJ’s move as “morally repugnant.” Sanjiv Singh, attorney representing 16 families, stated, “We are appalled by this sudden possible retreat from criminal prosecution of Boeing.”
Boeing’s Past Legal Issues and Failed Plea Deal
Boeing had earlier settled a criminal investigation in January 2021. However, prosecutors accused the company in 2024 of violating that agreement. The DOJ then proposed a plea deal requiring Boeing to admit to criminal fraud conspiracy and pay $487.2 million in fines.
This plea deal was blocked by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor in December 2024 due to problems with the monitor selection process. The case remains unresolved, and critics have noted the DOJ’s leniency toward corporate offenders during the Trump administration.
Company and DOJ Remain Silent
Boeing has not commented on the new potential deal, and the DOJ has yet to issue a public statement. The agreement, first reported by Reuters, would let Boeing avoid admitting guilt or facing further criminal charges.
Public and Market Reaction
The 737 Max crashes had a devastating impact on families and seriously damaged Boeing’s reputation. Many experts and advocates argue that holding Boeing strictly accountable is necessary to ensure real safety reforms within the company.
Following the news, Boeing’s shares fell 0.5% during trading in New York, showing investor unease about the ongoing legal issues.
If the non-prosecution agreement is finalized, it may raise concerns about how large corporations are held responsible for catastrophic safety failures.