The U.S. Justice Department is set to hold a meeting with the families of the victims from the tragic Boeing 737 MAX crashes on April 24, as it deliberates on pursuing a criminal case against the aerospace giant. The crashes, which claimed the lives of 346 individuals, have prompted serious scrutiny of Boeing’s practices and the aircraft’s design.
Boeing, which secured immunity from criminal prosecution under a $2.5 billion agreement with the Justice Department in January 2021, faces renewed examination. This deal was in response to a charge of fraud conspiracy linked to the 737 MAX’s faulty design, requiring Boeing to comply with specific terms over a three-year period that concluded on January 7.
The Department is now evaluating if Boeing’s actions, particularly in light of the January 5, 2024, incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 and the company’s subsequent conduct, have breached this agreement. Such a breach could potentially pave the way for criminal proceedings against Boeing. The decision deadline is set for July 7.
Michael Stumo, a parent of one of the Ethiopian Airlines crash victims, expressed a forced acknowledgment of the victims’ families by the Justice Department, indicating the families’ struggle for recognition and justice. This upcoming meeting marks a significant moment for the relatives, following previous grievances that their legal rights were disregarded when the Boeing plea deal was finalized without their input.
The Justice Department’s engagement with the victims’ families comes after a revision of its guidelines for notifying victims of potential crimes, a move influenced by the outcry over the lack of communication before the Boeing plea deal. This engagement includes an apology issued by Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2022 for the department’s past failures in accurately communicating with the families.
Amid these developments, the FBI has also initiated contact with passengers from the recent Alaska Airlines incident, informing them of their potential victim status in an ongoing crime investigation. This approach by the FBI underscores the seriousness of the inquiry into Boeing’s conduct and the broader implications for aviation safety and accountability.
As the Justice Department moves closer to its decision, the aviation community and the public eye remain fixed on the outcome of these proceedings and the potential for a historic criminal case against one of the industry’s most prominent players.
Related news: https://www.airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/safety/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com
