US Considers Criminal Prosecution Against Boeing for 737 Max Crashes

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The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is weighing the possibility of prosecuting Boeing in connection with the two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft, signaling a potential escalation in the legal fallout from the tragedies. The DOJ stated that Boeing may have breached the terms of an agreement reached in 2021, which had shielded the company from criminal charges related to the crashes. The agreement came after investigations into the crashes in Indonesia in 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019, which claimed the lives of 346 individuals.

 

According to the DOJ, Boeing failed to establish and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent violations of US fraud laws across its operations, potentially violating the terms of the agreement. Boeing, however, has refuted these allegations, asserting that it upheld the terms of the agreement and is prepared to respond to the Justice Department's claims.

 

As part of the previous settlement, Boeing had agreed to pay a hefty $2.5 billion settlement, and prosecutors had agreed to seek the dismissal of a criminal charge after a three-year period. The DOJ has set a deadline of June 13 for Boeing to address the allegations, indicating that its response will influence the DOJ's next steps.

 

The announcement has been met with approval from relatives of the crash victims, who have long advocated for accountability from Boeing. Paul G Cassell, a lawyer representing the families of the victims, described the DOJ's consideration of criminal action as a "positive first step," emphasizing the need for further measures to hold Boeing accountable.

 

Boeing's handling of aircraft safety has remained under scrutiny, with recent incidents further fueling concerns. In January, an unused door detached from a new 737 Max shortly after takeoff, resulting in a significant breach in the aircraft's structure. The incident served as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges Boeing faces in restoring confidence in the safety of its aircraft.

 

As the DOJ deliberates on potential criminal prosecution, the outcome will have significant implications for Boeing's future and the broader aviation industry. The decision will not only impact Boeing's legal standing but also shape perceptions of corporate accountability and safety standards within the aviation sector.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-05-17

 

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[herfiehandbag]

Starting point is of course that it is too big to fail.

[RobU]

Good. Executives of Boeing literally got away with murder, because they paid blood money. Individuals who oversaw this incompetent and dangerous system and tried to blame the pilots need to be prosecuted and imprisoned

[newbee2022]

There should be a world-wide boycott of this dangerous thing.🙏