Boeing Plea Deal Over 737 Max Crashes Struck Down by Court

A US judge has rejected a plea deal proposed by Boeing to resolve criminal charges related to the fatal crashes of two of its 737 Max airplanes, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people. The deal, struck between Boeing and the US government in July, included a guilty plea to one count of criminal fraud, a fine of $243 million, and a commitment to independent monitoring. However, Judge Reed O’Connor criticized the agreement for undermining the court’s authority and for having contradictory diversity hiring requirements for the monitor.

Family members of the crash victims expressed satisfaction with the ruling, suggesting the original plea deal was akin to a “get-out-of-jail-free card” for Boeing. They criticized it for failing to hold the company accountable for the tragedies and noted that it did not ensure public safety. In his ruling, Judge O’Connor remarked that past government oversight had been ineffective, stating that the proposed plea deal allowed Boeing too much control over the selection and obligations of the independent monitor, diminishing public trust in the process.

O’Connor specifically pointed out that the requirement to consider race in the hiring process for the monitor would further erode public confidence, emphasizing that selections should be based strictly on competency. He underscored the necessity for justice and accountability given the significant loss of life involved.

The ruling comes in light of Boeing’s ongoing struggles following the crashes in 2018 and 2019, as well as a recent incident involving a malfunction on a new aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines, raising fresh questions about the company’s safety measures. This situation has compounded concerns that Boeing has not effectively rectified issues related to the design and oversight of its flight control systems.

Judge O’Connor mentioned that Boeing had allegedly violated the terms of a previous plea deal established in 2021, but his ruling left unclear the specifics of these breaches. Attorney Erin Appelbaum, representing victims’ families, hailed the ruling as a significant victory, asserting that it might lead to a more stringent plea agreement that reflects the serious nature of Boeing’s actions. The Department of Justice now has 30 days to establish a new course of action, leaving open the potential for a more rigorous accountability framework for Boeing.