The U.S. Department of Justice has decided to file charges against Boeing, accusing the company of failing to comply with an agreement made following the deadly 737 Max crashes.
Violation of the Fraud Agreement
The U.S. Department of Justice determined that Boeing violated the 2021 agreement, which protected the company from prosecution on the condition that it review its practices and provide regular reports. According to a source speaking to Sputnik, the indictment will include a single charge: deceiving the U.S. government regarding safety measures for the aircraft.
Fatal Crashes Leading to 346 Deaths
Two major crashes in 2018 and 2019 severely questioned the safety of Boeing 737 Max aircraft:
- Lion Air JT 610: On October 29, 2018, the plane took off from Jakarta bound for Sumatra Island but crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff, killing 189 people.
- Ethiopian Airlines ET 302: On March 10, 2019, the plane took off from Addis Ababa heading to Nairobi but crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the death of 157 people.
Causes and Consequences of the Crashes
Both crashes were found to be caused by data discrepancies between the sensors that adjust the aircraft’s angle of ascent. Following these accidents, many countries grounded Boeing 737 Max operations and closed their airspace to these flights.
Boeing’s Admission of Responsibility and Compensations
Boeing accepted its responsibility in the crashes and signed a legal settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2021. Under the agreement, Boeing:
- Agreed to pay compensation to the families of those who died in the crashes and to the airline customers.
- Accepted to pay a criminal fine for misleading regulators.
The total compensation and fines amounted to $2.5 billion.
Ongoing Issues
Technical problems with Boeing aircraft continue:
- Polish President Andrzej Duda’s plane: Malfunctioned on March 25, 2022, while returning from the U.S.
- Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-MAX 9: Experienced an emergency exit door explosion during a flight on January 5, 2024.
- FAA Investigation: On May 6, 2024, the FAA launched an investigation into Boeing’s completion of inspections on its 787 Dreamliner aircraft and the possibility of company employees falsifying aircraft records.
The U.S. Department of Justice is expected to announce its official decision regarding Boeing on July 7.
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