TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Boeing 737 MAX crash families say planemaker should face much higher fine

On July 24, the planemaker finalized an agreement to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay up to $487 million after breaching a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.

Reuters
Washington
Thu, August 1, 2024

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Boeing 737 MAX crash families say planemaker should face much higher fine A Boeing 737 MAX is displayed during the Farnborough Airshow, in Farnborough, the United Kingdom, on July 18, 2022. (AFP/Justin Tallis)

F

amilies for some of the 346 people killed in two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes said on Wednesday a US judge should reject the planemaker's proposed plea deal with the Justice Department and the government should seek a much higher fine.

On July 24, the planemaker finalized an agreement to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay up to $487 million after breaching a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.

Paul Cassell, a lawyer for some of the families, said in a court filing the fine "is inadequate -- or, at the very least, rests on misleading accounting and inaccurate accounting." He added the fine "fails to reflect that Boeing’s crime killed 346 innocent victims." Cassell called that decision "not only inaccurate—it is morally reprehensible."

Adrian Vuckovich, another lawyer representing relatives, said in a separate filing "we suggest that Boeing should be required to pay a substantial fine which recognizes the value of each of the 346 people killed, the substantial harm to others and pay a fine which is consistent with fines paid by other corporate criminal defendants."

The families cited O'Connor's statement in a February 2023 ruling: "Boeing's crime may properly be considered the deadliest corporate crime in US history."

Spokespeople for Boeing and the Justice Department did not immediately comment on the families' filings. 

The DOJ told Boeing earlier this month it could accept a settlement that branded the planemaker a felon or fight the charge in court. The Justice Department said in May that Boeing had breached its obligations in the agreement that shielded the planemaker from criminal prosecution stemming from misrepresentations about a key software feature tied to fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

The Justice Department has a separate criminal probe ongoing into the Alaska Airlines ALK.N jet that was missing four key bolts. 

As part of the guilty plea deal, Boeing agreed to pay the maximum fine of $487.2 million and the DOJ recommended the court credit its previous 2021 payment of $243.6 million against that, which was required by 2021 deal. 

The deal also imposes an independent monitor, who will have to publicly file annual progress reports, to oversee the firm's compliance. The company's board -- including new CEO -- must meet with the victims' families within four months of sentencing.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.