Boeing Max crash family members ask judge to overturn plea deal

Relatives of those killed in two Boeing 737 Max crashes are pushing a federal judge to reject a deal between the company and prosecutors.

The case is due to be heard Friday in Fort Worth, Texas. The case addresses two separate accidents that killed a total of 346 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

The settlement involves Boeing pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud as part of a settlement with the Justice Department.

The families of the crash victims have long criticized Boeing’s handling of the dispute.

“The families who lost loved ones in the 737 Max crashes deserve much more than the inadequate and superficial settlement between Boeing and the Department of Justice,” said Erin Applebaum, an attorney representing some of the victims’ families.

“They deserve a transparent legal process that truly holds Boeing accountable for its actions.”

The Justice Department’s settlement with Boeing includes a fine of at least $243.6 million, a $455 million investment in compliance and safety programs and a three-year probationary period.

Lawyers for Boeing and the government defended the deal in court filings.

They claimed it reflected the most serious charge they could prove: conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration.

Boeing is accused of misleading regulators about the Max’s safety during the approval process.

Specifically, the company allegedly downplayed the need for flight simulator training for pilots, which would have been a more costly requirement for airlines.

Prosecutors argue they cannot prove Boeing’s actions directly caused the accidents, which occurred in 2018 and 2019.

A Boeing spokesperson commented on the plea agreement in July, saying, “We will continue to work transparently with our regulators as we take important steps across Boeing to further strengthen our safety, quality and compliance programs.” .

The company intends to settle the matter by avoiding a criminal trial and focusing on restoring its reputation.

The families of the crash victims argue that the company prioritized profits over safety.

The crashes were linked to a malfunctioning flight control system, known as MCAS, which repeatedly forced the nose of the aircraft and caused the pilots to lose control. The Max was deployed worldwide for nearly two years, and Boeing has made software and training changes.

Friday’s hearing is expected to include arguments from both sides, with U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor set to question the attorneys.

If the judge accepts Boeing’s guilty plea, he must also approve the terms of the agreed sentence, with no option to impose different conditions.

The timing of the judge’s ruling remains uncertain.

A full trial could result in tougher penalties for Boeing, including larger fines and stricter oversight.

Relatives of the victims have characterized the plea deal as a “sweetheart deal” that favors Boeing, a major US government contractor.

Boeing’s defense maintains that the terms of the settlement are fair and consistent with legal precedent in similar cases.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press

.