- Boeing is reportedly attempting to withdraw its guilty plea in a criminal case involving two fatal 737 MAX crashes. It’s seeking potential leniency from the Trump administration’s Department of Justice.
- The company had previously agreed to a $487.2 million fine, $455 million in safety measures, and court supervision, but a federal judge rejected the agreement in December, deeming it too lenient.
- The Trump administration is reviewing the case, and officials are signaling a tougher stance on Boeing. The parties are scheduled to return to a Texas federal courtroom next month.
Full Story
The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported airline manufacturer Boeing is looking to withdraw its guilty plea in its case involving two crashed 737 MAX jets.
The sources told the paper that Boeing is hoping for a more lenient Dept. of Justice under President Donald Trump. The administration is reviewing cases brought under the Biden administration that have yet to go to court.
The crashes
Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea near Jakarta, Indonesia, on Oct. 29, 2018. The crash killed all 189 passengers and crew on board. Less than a year later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after takeoff near Ejere, Ethiopia. Also a Boeing 737 MAX, the crash killed all 157 passengers and crew on board on March 10, 2019.
Boeing entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ in January 2021. The company faced charges of conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration in connection with their inspection of the 737 MAX airplane. As part of the DPA, Boeing admitted that two of its pilots deceived the FAA about the speed range that the jets could operate with a flight control called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System(MCAS) engaged.
As punishment, Boeing agreed to a fine of $487.2 million and to spend $455 million on safety measures over three years of court supervision. But, a federal judge rejected the agreement in December after hearing lawyers for the victims of the crashes argue that it was too lenient for such a serious crime.
New DOJ
It’s unclear how the Justice Department will approach the case against Boeing. Sources told the Wall Street Journal that it can expect the Trump-managed DOJ to modify some parts of the proposed agreement.
But, Steve Bradbury, who was confirmed as deputy transportation secretary this month, said in confirmation hearings that they “need to be tougher on Boeing.”
The parties are due back in a Texas federal courtroom next month.
