The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft was assembled on June 25, 2024, at the company’s plant in Renton, Washington, USA.
Jennifer Buchanan | Reuters
Ministry of Justice stated boeing company The aircraft maker agreed to plead guilty to one count of criminal fraud conspiracy and pay a $243.6 million fine after it violated a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
Boeing Co. agreed in principle on July 7 to plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration after the U.S. government said the planemaker knowingly made false statements about critical software on the 737 Max.
The families of the 346 people killed in two Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 can raise objections, and then Judge Reed O’Connor will decide whether to accept the agreement and determine whether Boeing owes the families compensation.
Boeing confirmed it has submitted a detailed plea agreement to the Justice Department. “We will continue to work transparently with regulators and take significant actions across Boeing to further strengthen our safety, quality and compliance programs,” the company said.
As part of the deal, the planemaker agreed to spend at least $455 million over the next three years to strengthen safety and compliance programs, the filing said. The document added that Boeing’s board must meet with relatives of those killed in the Max crashes within four months of the sentencing.
The deal also creates an independent monitor, who must publicly submit annual progress reports to oversee the company’s compliance. Boeing will be on probation for the ombudsman’s three-year term, which can be extended by one year if Boeing does not comply with the terms.
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