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The families of victims who were killed in Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 have called on prosecutors to take decisive action against the aircraft manufacturer.
In 2021, the Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Boeing with conspiracy to defraud the US after 346 people were killed in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Air crashes. Despite the severity of the charges, prosecution was deferred when Boeing agreed to a $2.5 billion fine. However, following an incident in January involving a Boeing 737 Max 9, where a door plug blew out mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines aircraft, the DOJ indicated last month that Boeing had violated the agreement. A decision on whether to proceed with prosecution is expected by July 7.
Paul Cassell, representing some of the victims’ families, argued for severe financial penalties. “Because Boeing’s crime is the deadliest corporate crime in US history, a maximum fine of more than $24 billion is legally justified and clearly appropriate,” he stated. Cassell also pushed for the criminal prosecution of former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and other responsible corporate officials.
This all comes one day after Boeing’s safety practices and corporate culture came under intense scrutiny during a Senate subcommittee hearing. The session was dominated by allegations of safety lapses and corporate retaliation, with new whistleblower claims surfacing just before the hearing.
Families of the crash victims attended the hearing, visibly demonstrating their anger and demanded for justice. During the hearing, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun addressed them directly, offering a personal apology. He said, “I want to personally apologize, on behalf of everyone at Boeing. We are deeply sorry for your losses. Nothing is more important than the safety of the people who step on board our airplanes. Every day, we seek to honor the memory of those lost through a steadfast commitment to safety and quality.”
