Families of victims from the tragic Boeing crashes in 2018 and 2019 are voicing their outrage following the aerospace giant’s agreement to a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors. The deal aims to resolve Boeing’s culpability in the disasters that claimed 346 lives, sparking criticism from those who believe the company is evading full accountability.
Javier de Luis, whose sister Graziella de Luis perished in one of the crashes, expressed his frustration, stating, “If it wasn’t Boeing, if it was a human being that had committed a fraud that had led to the deaths of 346 people, would we be having this discussion? No, of course not. There’s no way that a deal like this would be given to an individual but because it’s Boeing; apparently rules don’t apply.”
Boeing’s Plea Deal Details
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Boeing will:
- Pay an additional fine, bringing the total to $487.2 million, the maximum legal amount for the fraud charge.
- Invest at least $455 million in safety improvements.
- Be subject to court-supervised probation for three years.
- Appoint an independent monitor to ensure compliance with the terms of the plea.
- Have its board of directors meet with the victims’ families.
The final approval of the plea deal rests with U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor in Fort Worth, Texas. If he accepts the agreement, he cannot modify Boeing’s punishment. Should he reject it, new negotiations between Boeing and the prosecutors would likely ensue.
Families’ Reactions and Concerns
Nadia Milleron, mother of the late Samya Stumo, criticized Boeing’s unchanged behavior since the crashes, stating, “Boeing has still never changed their behavior. The basic situation which caused our daughters death is the same. There are still avionic, hydraulic and electrical problems with these planes that are happening because of defective production.”
Legal and Regulatory Implications
Deals like the one Boeing has negotiated are controversial within legal circles. Former Justice Department lawyer Deborah Curtis noted, “Judges don’t like them. They feel that it usurps their authority.” However, Judge O’Connor has previously shown deference to the Justice Department’s decisions, despite criticizing Boeing’s “egregious criminal conduct” during a failed attempt by families to overturn a 2021 deferred-prosecution agreement.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Contracts
Boeing remains under scrutiny for other incidents, including a panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines Max in January. The FBI, National Transportation Safety Board, and Federal Aviation Administration are all investigating Boeing’s manufacturing quality and possible criminal conduct.
Despite these issues, Boeing is unlikely to lose government contracts. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that the Defense Department will assess Boeing’s remediation plans and agreement with the Department of Justice to determine necessary and appropriate steps to protect the federal government’s interests.
In 2006, Boeing retained its eligibility for government contracts despite admitting to charges involving stolen information and paying a $615 million fine, due to “compelling national interest” cited by the Air Force.
Conclusion
The plea deal marks a significant moment in the ongoing saga of Boeing’s accountability for the crashes. While some see it as a step towards justice, many families of the victims remain unconvinced, feeling that true accountability and change within the company have yet to be achieved.
