Quantcast

Boeing faces criminal fraud trial over fatal 737 MAX crashes

Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Boeing faces criminal fraud trial over fatal 737 MAX crashes
Policy
Webp received 2350609165313960
Boeing 737 MAX | Wikipedia

A trial date has been set for Boeing's criminal fraud case related to the two fatal 737 MAX crashes. A US judge will hear the case on June 23, where further proceedings are expected to be determined. This legal action arises from Boeing's handling of a key system on the 737 MAX that led to two crashes and numerous fatalities.

On June 23, a US judge will address the criminal fraud charges against Boeing, as filed by the United States Department of Justice. According to Reuters, the judge "abruptly set a June 23 trial date" for this case, which stems from two deadly 737 MAX incidents.

Last year, Boeing and the Justice Department requested that the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas accept a plea agreement after discovering that Boeing had violated its deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). The aircraft manufacturer was on corporate probation for three years following the crashes and was accused of breaching its DPA terms. The Justice Department stated that Boeing failed to design, implement, and enforce an effective compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of US fraud laws.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Boeing chose to plead guilty to conspiring to defraud the US government, specifically targeting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Evaluation Group (FAA AEG). As part of this decision, Boeing agreed to pay an additional fine of $243.6 million and invest $455 million in improving its compliance, quality, and safety programs.

However, in December, Judge Reed O'Connor in Fort Worth rejected Boeing's plea agreement due to a diversity and inclusion provision within it. O'Connor granted Boeing and DOJ until April 11 to negotiate a new plea deal.

As reported by Reuters, Boeing indicated that it is engaged in "good faith discussions regarding an appropriate resolution" with DOJ. This follows news from The Wall Street Journal suggesting that Boeing might withdraw last year's guilty plea agreement in hopes of receiving lighter treatment under a new administration. However, sources claim that Boeing does not intend to abandon its commitment entirely.

The 737 MAX remains popular among airlines globally but has faced scrutiny due to past issues. Initially designed as a competitor to Airbus' A320neo family, it suffered from software flaws leading to crashes involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines planes. These incidents resulted in a nearly two-year global grounding.

In January 2024, another setback occurred when an Alaska Airlines midair blowout incident exposed manufacturing flaws at Boeing. Consequently, the FAA limited monthly MAX production at 38 units.

Boeing has undergone several management changes since these events, including appointing a new CEO. The outcome of this criminal fraud case after June's hearing remains uncertain.

Families affected by these tragedies seek greater accountability from Boeing. They criticized previous agreements as inadequate for holding the company responsible. Erin Applebaum—a lawyer representing families impacted by the Ethiopian Airlines crash—urged DOJ "to stand on the right side of history," rejecting further negotiations and pursuing full prosecution against Boeing.

The upcoming trial is anticipated with keen interest.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

With the commencement of the 2025 summer flight schedule, ITA Airways has seamlessly integrated into the Lufthansa Group terminals in Frankfurt and Munich.

Mar 30, 2025

Air China is set to resume its Toronto flights after a 33-year hiatus.

Mar 29, 2025

United Airlines has confirmed that a Boeing 767-300ER, which departed from London on March 26, returned to London Heathrow after experiencing mechanical problems.

Mar 29, 2025

American Airlines has introduced new routes to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic, following its "March Map-Ness" contest.

Mar 29, 2025

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A321neo is back in operation after being grounded due to smoke detected in its cabin.

Mar 29, 2025

The Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Alabama, presents an extensive collection of over 120 aircraft, showcasing a range of experimental, military, and general aviation aircraft.

Mar 29, 2025