Boeing Close to Deal to Avoid Prosecution for 737 Max Crashes

Attorney representing family members of victims says the agreement ‘isn't justice.’

Caleb Revill

Friday, May 16, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

An Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max 8 sits in the maintenance area. [ AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly offered Boeing a non-prosecution agreement in a criminal negligence lawsuit concerning two fatal 737 Max crashes, which would allow the company to avoid felony charges.
This development follows Boeing's earlier withdrawal from a guilty plea agreement, after which a judge ordered the case to proceed to trial in June.
Attorneys representing victims' families have expressed deep disappointment, condemning the reported agreement as a "backroom deal" that allows Boeing to avoid accountability, despite a proposed $444.5 million payout.

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The U.S. Department of Justice has reportedly offered Boeing a non-prosecution agreement in a criminal negligence lawsuit the company is facing for two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.

A Reuters report on Friday cited “people familiar with the matter” who said the company reached the agreement with the DOJ pending a judge’s approval. If approved, the agreement would see Boeing avoid facing felony charges.