A U.S. judge has rejected a plea deal between Boeing and the Department of Justice (DOJ) related to the fatal crashes of two Boeing 737 Max planes, a ruling that has stirred emotions among the families of the victims and critics of the company. The case stems from two tragic crashes in 2018 and 2019, which together claimed the lives of 346 people. The judge’s decision comes at a critical time as Boeing struggles to repair its reputation and demonstrate accountability for the deadly accidents.
In July 2024, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to one count of criminal fraud, a move that would have allowed the company to resolve the case without facing a trial. The agreement stipulated that Boeing would pay a $243 million fine, submit to independent monitoring, and make improvements to its safety practices. However, Judge Reed O’Connor of the Northern District of Texas struck down the deal on Thursday, citing concerns over the adequacy of the monitoring process and the inclusion of diversity requirements for selecting the monitor.
Judge O’Connor’s decision reflects the growing frustration over Boeing’s failure to fully address the systemic issues that contributed to the crashes. In his ruling, he stated that the proposed agreement did not go far enough in holding Boeing accountable for its actions, and that the monitoring process lacked sufficient oversight. He also criticized the diversity requirements for the monitor, arguing that they undermined public confidence in the process by suggesting that race would influence the selection, rather than the monitor’s qualifications.
The two fatal crashes, which occurred in October 2018 with Lion Air Flight 610 and in March 2019 with Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, were both attributed to flaws in the 737 Max’s flight control system, specifically the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). The crashes led to a global grounding of the 737 Max and intense scrutiny of Boeing’s safety practices. Despite the severity of the incidents, Boeing has faced only limited consequences, a situation that has outraged the families of the victims.
Family members of the 346 people killed in the crashes have long argued that Boeing should face more severe penalties and a full trial, rather than settling for a plea deal that they view as insufficient. Ike and Susan Riffel, parents of two sons who perished in the Ethiopian Airlines crash, praised the judge’s ruling, calling it the “right thing.” In a statement, they expressed their hope that the decision would pave the way for “real justice” and ensure that the company is held fully accountable for the deaths.
The rejected plea deal also highlighted the ongoing crisis at Boeing. The company has been under heightened scrutiny since the crashes, and a subsequent incident in January 2024, when a door panel on a Boeing plane operated by Alaska Airlines detached during flight, reignited concerns about Boeing’s commitment to safety. Despite years of increased oversight, including a 2021 agreement with the DOJ to monitor Boeing’s operations more closely, questions persist about the company’s ability to improve its safety record.
In his ruling, Judge O’Connor noted that Boeing’s past efforts to comply with safety regulations had failed, raising doubts about the company’s sincerity in its efforts to make meaningful changes. He criticized the DOJ for its lenient treatment of Boeing, pointing out that the government had not taken stronger action in response to Boeing’s breaches of previous agreements.
This rejection marks a significant victory for the families of the victims, who have long demanded greater accountability from Boeing. Erin Appelbaum, a partner at Kreindler & Kreindler, a law firm representing some of the victims’ families, called the ruling “excellent” and said it would lead to a renegotiation of the plea deal that better reflects the severity of Boeing’s actions.
The Department of Justice now has 30 days to propose a new plan, with the pressure mounting to ensure that Boeing faces true accountability for the tragic events that shook the aviation industry. As the case continues to unfold, the question remains: Will Boeing finally be held to account, or will it once again avoid meaningful consequences for its role in the deadly crashes?
