Boeing Seeks to Withdraw US Plea Deal Over Fatal MAX Crashes

NEW YORK, 25 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Boeing is attempting to overturn a plea deal related to two fatal 737 MAX crashes, which was agreed upon last year with the US government but later rejected by a Texas judge, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

According to the newspaper, citing multiple unnamed sources, the aerospace giant is seeking “more lenient treatment” from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Donald Trump’s administration, which is currently reviewing several unresolved criminal cases.

Boeing had agreed in July 2024 to plead guilty to fraud after the DOJ determined the company had failed to enhance its compliance and ethics programme, violating the terms of a deferred prosecution agreement established in response to the 2018 and 2019 MAX disasters.

The original agreement, finalised in January 2021, aimed to resolve legal consequences stemming from the crashes, which claimed 346 lives in Ethiopia and Indonesia.

However, in December 2024, a judge in Texas rejected the plea deal, citing concerns over the selection process for an independent monitor tasked with ensuring Boeing’s compliance. The ruling effectively forced both Boeing and the DOJ to revisit the terms of the settlement.

Potential Impact of the Trump Administration's Approach

The Wall Street Journal reported that Boeing could benefit from a fresh review under Trump’s DOJ, which is reportedly inclined to at least modify aspects of the agreement.

"Allowing Boeing to rescind its plea agreement, or reducing its punishment, would be one of the most significant examples of the Trump administration’s lighter-touch approach to white-collar enforcement," the newspaper stated, citing sources.

Neither Boeing nor the US Justice Department immediately responded to requests for comment.

Ongoing Scrutiny and Legal Challenges

Boeing continues to face intense scrutiny over its safety record, particularly following multiple safety incidents in recent months involving the 737 MAX. The company remains under pressure from regulators, lawmakers, and victims’ families, who argue that accountability measures must be strengthened rather than eased.

Industry analysts suggest that any modification or withdrawal of the plea deal could have broader implications for corporate oversight and legal accountability in the aviation sector.