The U.S. Department of Justice is planning to offer Boeing a non-prosecution agreement related to the two fatal crashes of its 737 Max airplanes. This deal would allow Boeing to avoid admitting guilt to criminal charges connected to the deaths of 346 people in those accidents. The announcement has sparked strong anger among the families of the victims.
The two crashes happened within a short period. In October 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea, killing all 189 people on board. Five months later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed near Addis Ababa, killing 157 people. These disasters led to a global grounding of the 737 Max aircraft for nearly two years while investigations took place.
The Department of Justice started a criminal fraud case against Boeing in 2021. Boeing reached an agreement to settle the case that year. However, federal prosecutors later accused Boeing of violating the terms of that agreement, which led to renewed legal action.
Victims’ families were informed of the DOJ’s plan during a call with senior officials last week. Their lawyer said the families feel betrayed and believe the deal will not force Boeing to make meaningful changes. Many family members have called the agreement morally wrong and accuse the Justice Department of protecting a large corporation instead of seeking justice.
Previously, a plea deal that involved a $487 million fine was rejected by a U.S. District Judge in December. The judge raised concerns about the fairness of how an independent safety monitor was selected. His decision shifted control of the case to the Trump administration’s Justice Department.
Critics are now questioning whether the new DOJ under Trump will hold Boeing responsible for its actions or allow the company to avoid criminal charges. So far, the Justice Department has not publicly commented on the proposed deal, and Boeing has not responded to media inquiries.
Following the news, Boeing’s stock dropped by 0.5% on the New York Stock Exchange. Investors appear cautious amid ongoing legal uncertainty. Families of the crash victims insist that Boeing must face real consequences to protect future passengers and prevent similar disasters.