Quantcast

Boeing faces criminal fraud trial over fatal 737 MAX crashes

Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
EASA Certifies Safran’s First Electric Motor
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
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

EVA Air has announced the return of the 2025 EVA Marathon in Taipei, with registration now open for race distances ranging from 3K to 42K.

May 12, 2025

Airlines for America announced its support for Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's commitment to modernizing the national air traffic control system and maintaining airspace safety.

May 12, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a 15% discount on flights to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur from select destinations.

May 12, 2025

Cathay Pacific has announced the reopening of its redesigned lounge, The Bridge, at Hong Kong International Airport.

May 12, 2025

Emirates has announced the launch of a new daily direct flight between Dubai and Hangzhou, marking its fifth gateway into mainland China.

May 12, 2025

Aeroméxico has announced the launch of a social media trivia contest, offering participants an opportunity to win prizes associated with the Tecate Emblema Festival.

May 12, 2025