Families of 737 MAX Crash Victims Reject Boeing's Plea Deal

Families of victims from the 737 MAX crashes are urging U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor to dismiss a plea deal between Boeing and the Justice Department. They claim the agreement underrepresents the facts, misguides sentencing, and fails to hold Boeing accountable for the loss of 346 lives.

Families of the 346 victims killed in two 737 MAX crashes are calling on U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor to reject a plea deal Boeing reached with the Justice Department. On Wednesday, the aircraft manufacturer agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay $243.6 million, which breaches a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.

In a court filing in Texas, family members expressed their intent to submit a comprehensive objection to the plea deal, highlighting its 'outdated and misleading statement of facts,' 'inaccurate sentencing guidelines,' and 'ambiguous restitution commitment.' They cited O'Connor's February 2023 statement labeling Boeing's actions as potentially the 'deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history.'

The Justice Department asserts Boeing allowed unsafe practices and inadequate record-keeping, ultimately resulting in the 737 MAX crashes. The plea deal includes significant fines and an independent monitor to ensure compliance, but families argue it fails to hold Boeing's senior management accountable or properly address the fatal impact of their negligence.