The Justice Department said no final decision has been made yet.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said it could drop Boeing’s criminal charges for allegations that the company deceived federal regulators ahead of the two 737 biggest crashes that killed 346 people.
The department informed the families that no final decisions were made. He also said the family consistently advocated public trials and opposed the motion to dismiss the case.
Boeing faces accusations of criminal fraud conspiracy resulting from the two 737 maximum crashes that occurred within five months of each other. One is located in Indonesia’s coast in October 2018, and the other in Ethiopia in May 2019.
Investigators linked both crashes to a flight control system known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Enhancement System (MCAS).
It is designed to automatically push down the flat nose if the sensor detects stall. MCAS relies on inputs from a single attack sensor. In both accidents, the incorrect sensor readings activate the MCAS and sent the aircraft to the dive that the pilot couldn’t recover.
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In 2021, Boeing reached a $2.5 billion settlement with DOJ, avoiding prosecution. The agreement included $243.6 million in criminal fines and commitments from Boeing to improve compliance and safety programs.
In May 2024, prosecutors alleged that Boeing violated the terms of the agreement by failing to implement the promised reforms designed to prevent violations of the federal anti-combustion laws. In response, Boeing agreed to a guilty plea deal last July. This includes an additional $243.6 million fine, $455 million for improved safety and compliance over the next three years, and surveillance by government-designated independent monitors.
That plea deal was rejected in December by US District Judge Reed O’Connor of Fort Worth, Texas.
The judge has been troubled with the independent monitor selection process, saying government and Boeing’s diversity, inclusion and equity (DEI) policies could affect choices by racial and other diversity factors. He also criticized the agreement to exclude the court from any role in the appointment of the monitor.
Boeing and the Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
