Boeing Faces Backlash Over Tentative DOJ Deal on 737 MAX Crash Cases

Families of the 346 victims killed in the two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes are preparing to oppose a proposed nonprosecution agreement between Boeing (NYSE:BA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), according to attorney Paul Cassell. The tentative deal, outlined during a DOJ meeting on Friday and confirmed in a court filing Saturday, gives families until Thursday to submit objections.

Cassell criticized the agreement for failing to hold Boeing accountable, labeling it “a step backward” compared to a prior plea deal where Boeing had agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud conspiracy. The new proposal allows Boeing to avoid a criminal conviction and could cancel the trial scheduled for June 23 related to allegations the company misled regulators about the 737 MAX’s flight control system.

While the DOJ emphasized no final decision has been made, the arrangement is expected to shield Boeing from being branded a convicted felon—a move that has sparked outrage among victims’ families. The DOJ also revealed plans to require Boeing to contribute an additional $444.5 million to a victims’ compensation fund, adding to the $500 million already paid in 2021.

Boeing has yet to comment. The planemaker, which faced two crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019, continues to grapple with safety concerns. In January 2024, a 737 MAX 9 experienced a mid-air incident due to missing bolts, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to cap Boeing’s production at 38 planes per month.

With public scrutiny intensifying and legal pressure mounting, the final outcome of the DOJ’s decision could significantly shape Boeing’s future reputation and regulatory landscape.