The U.S. Department of Justice is preparing to offer Boeing a non-prosecution agreement in the 737 Max fraud case. This deal would let Boeing avoid pleading guilty despite two deadly crashes linked to its aircraft.
Families of the victims strongly oppose the DOJ’s plan. During a recent call with senior officials, relatives said the agreement would shield Boeing from real accountability. They demand full prosecution to ensure justice and safety reforms within the company.
The crashes happened in late 2018 and early 2019. Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea, killing 189 people. A few months later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 went down shortly after takeoff, killing 157 passengers. These disasters led to the worldwide grounding of the 737 Max fleet for almost two years.
Boeing settled a criminal fraud investigation in January 2021 without admitting guilt. Prosecutors later accused Boeing of violating that deal in 2024, prompting new negotiations.
In December 2024, a judge rejected a plea agreement that included a $487 million fine and a criminal conspiracy charge. The judge raised concerns over the selection process for the independent monitor assigned to oversee Boeing’s compliance.
After the rejection, the Justice Department under the Trump administration took over the case and reconsidered its strategy. Critics question if the DOJ will pursue strong action against Boeing.
Boeing has not commented on the latest proposal, and the Justice Department declined to respond immediately. Reuters first reported the news of the DOJ’s plan.
Families affected by the crashes continue to push for criminal charges to hold Boeing fully accountable. They believe this is necessary to prevent future tragedies.
Following the news, Boeing’s stock fell by 0.5 percent in New York trading. Public and political pressure is expected to rise if the DOJ moves forward with the non-prosecution agreement.
