FORT WORTH, Texas — A federal judge on Friday ordered a hearing next month over Boeing’s agreement to plead guilty to conspiracy in connection with the 737 Max jetliner, two of which crashed, killing 346 people.
Families of some of the passengers killed in the crashes object to the agreement. They want to put Boeing on trial, where it could face tougher punishment.
U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor set a hearing for Oct. 11 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Boeing is accused of misleading regulators who approved minimal, computer-based training for Boeing 737 pilots before they could fly the Max. Boeing wanted to prevent regulators from requiring training in flight simulators, which would have raised the cost for airlines to operate the plane.
The Justice Department argued in court filings that conspiracy to defraud the government is the most serious charge it can prove. Prosecutors said they lack evidence to show that Boeing’s actions caused the crashes in 2018 in Indonesia and 2019 in Ethiopia.
Relatives of victims and their lawyers have called the settlement a sweetheart deal that fails to consider the loss of so many lives. Some of the lawyers have argued that the Justice Department treated Boeing gently because the company is a big government contractor.
The agreement calls for Boeing to pay a fine of at least $243.6 million, invest $455 million in compliance and safety programs, and be placed on probation for three years.
A federal judge in Texas is set to hear arguments on Boeing’s plea deal in the 737 Max case, a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the aircraft manufacturer’s troubled jet.
The plea deal, which was reached between Boeing and the U.S. Department of Justice last month, includes a $2.5 billion fine for the company’s role in the two crashes of the 737 Max that killed 346 people. The crashes, which occurred in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019, were linked to a faulty flight control system known as MCAS.
The plea deal also includes a deferred prosecution agreement, which means that Boeing will not face criminal charges as long as it complies with certain conditions, such as cooperating with ongoing investigations and implementing changes to its safety practices.
The hearing in Texas will allow the judge to review the terms of the plea deal and determine whether it is fair and appropriate. The judge will also hear arguments from both sides, including any objections from victims’ families or other parties affected by the crashes.
Boeing has faced intense scrutiny and criticism for its handling of the 737 Max crisis, with many accusing the company of prioritizing profits over safety. The plea deal represents a significant step towards holding Boeing accountable for its actions and providing some measure of justice for the victims and their families.
The outcome of the hearing in Texas could have far-reaching implications for Boeing and the aviation industry as a whole. It will be closely watched by regulators, lawmakers, and the public, as they seek to ensure that similar tragedies do not occur in the future.
Overall, the hearing on Boeing’s plea deal in the 737 Max case is a critical moment in the ongoing effort to address the failures that led to the crashes and to prevent similar disasters from happening again. It is a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in the aviation industry, and of the need to prioritize safety above all else.
