Boeing's Bitter Plea: Avoiding Trial over Tragic 737 Max Crashes
Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to fraud charges in an effort to avoid a potentially damaging trial related to the fatal crashes of its 737 Max aircraft. The plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice has drawn sharp criticism from lawyers representing relatives of crash victims, who denounce it as a "sweetheart deal."
Under the terms of the agreement, Boeing will pay a $243.6 million fine and invest at least $455 million in its compliance and safety programs. Additionally, the aircraft giant will undergo assessment of its safety and quality procedures by a third-party monitor for three years.
"We can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle on terms of a resolution with the Justice Department, subject to the memorialization and approval of specific terms," Boeing stated.
It is crucial to note that this plea agreement pertains specifically to Boeing's responsibility for the 2018 and 2019 737 Max crashes. It does not encompass other incidents that have raised concerns about the company's safety standards, such as the mid-flight blowout of Alaska Airlines flight 1282 in January.
Furthermore, the deal applies only to the corporate entity of Boeing and not to any current or former employees. As a convicted felon, Boeing could potentially face exclusion from lucrative government contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA. However, it may seek waivers to maintain business relations with these agencies.
Boeing's decision to plead guilty follows the Justice Department's determination in May that the company had violated an earlier deferred prosecution agreement related to the 737 Max crashes, which resulted in the deaths of 346 passengers and crew members.
As part of the 2021 settlement, prosecutors agreed not to pursue charges against Boeing for misleading regulators about flaws in the 737 Max, provided the company paid a $2.5 billion settlement, including the $243.6 million fine, and committed to specific conditions for three years. Boeing admitted to deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration regarding its Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a flight stabilization software linked to both crashes.
Attorneys representing some victims' families intend to petition the Texas court overseeing the plea to reject the agreement. "This sweetheart deal fails to acknowledge that 346 people died because of Boeing's deception," said Paul Cassell, a lawyer for several families. "Through legal maneuvering between Boeing and the DOJ, the severe consequences of Boeing's actions are being obscured."
While Boeing seeks to avoid a potentially damaging trial through this plea deal, families of the victims continue to grapple with a sense of injustice, questioning whether the gravity of the company's actions has been adequately addressed. The bitterness of this agreement underscores the lasting pain and suffering following the tragic 737 Max crashes.