Judge Approves DOJ’s Motion to Drop Case Against Boeing

Manufacturer will avoid criminal penalties in connection with two 737 Max crashes.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, November 06, 2025 at 01:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Boeing 737 Max aircraft in storage. [Credit: AirlineGeeeks/William Derrickson]

Key Takeaways:

A federal judge has approved the U.S. Justice Department's request to drop its criminal case against Boeing concerning the two fatal 737 Max crashes.
The judge explicitly disagreed with the Justice Department's non-prosecution agreement (NPA), stating it "fails to secure the necessary accountability" and sided with the crash victims' families who opposed the deal, but stated he lacked the power to overturn the decision.
Under the NPA, Boeing admits to conspiring to obstruct an FAA investigation, will pay $1.1 billion in penalties (including a criminal penalty and funds for victims), and commits to investing in its safety, compliance, and quality programs.

See a mistake? Contact us.

A federal judge has signed off on the U.S. Justice Department’s request to drop its criminal case against Boeing in connection with two fatal 737 Max crashes.

Judge Reed O’Connor said Thursday that while he disagrees with the DOJ’s argument that dismissing the case is in the public interest, he does not have the power to overturn the department’s decision. The government’s non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with Boeing, first announced in May, “fails to secure the necessary accountability to ensure the safety of the flying public,” O’Connor added, according to Reuters.