If you’ve been following the long fight for justice after the two deadly Boeing 737 Max crashes, you may be surprised — and outraged — by what could happen next. The U.S. Justice Department is now considering dropping its criminal fraud case against Boeing, a move that has triggered an immediate backlash from victims’ families.
This decision could come just weeks before the case is set to go to trial — and for many, it feels like accountability may be slipping away.
What We Know So Far
- The Justice Department announced in a Saturday court filing that it may resolve the case without trial, possibly dismissing the criminal fraud charge against Boeing.
- Prosecutors met with families of crash victims to discuss a potential pretrial resolution, according to the filing.
- A final decision has not yet been made, but family members were given until May 22 to share their feedback.
- The case stems from Boeing allegedly misleading the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about a software system on the 737 Max, which later contributed to two crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.
- The original settlement in 2021 included a $2.5 billion agreement, allowing Boeing to avoid prosecution — but prosecutors later said Boeing violated that deal.
- Boeing is no longer willing to plead guilty, according to lawyers for the victims’ families.
This information was originally reported in a weekend court filing and confirmed by statements from the U.S. Department of Justice and attorney Paul Cassell, who represents many of the families involved.
What It Means for Families and the Public
Families of the crash victims, many of whom have fought for years for a public trial and accountability, are strongly opposing the dismissal of charges.
Paul Cassell, attorney for many of the families, said:
“We hope that this bizarre plan will be rejected by the leadership of the department. Dismissing the case would dishonor the memories of 346 victims who Boeing killed through its callous lies.”
Many are calling this a betrayal of justice, especially after previous findings that Boeing failed to disclose key information about the MCAS software — a system that caused the planes’ noses to turn downward automatically after faulty sensor data.
The two crashes — off the coast of Indonesia in 2018 and in Ethiopia in 2019 — devastated families across the world. Residents in major airline hubs like Seattle, Dallas, and Atlanta are paying close attention as the trial’s June 23 start date approaches.
What You Should Watch For
- The Justice Department will make its final decision shortly after May 22, once victim family statements are reviewed.
- The case remains set for trial in Fort Worth, Texas, starting June 23, unless a resolution is filed.
- A new nonprosecution agreement may be on the table, involving additional fines and compensation without a guilty plea.
- Public and political reaction could sway what happens next — especially as this case continues to draw national and international attention.
Stay tuned for developments in this high-profile case, as legal teams, government officials, and families push toward a final outcome. For many, the next few weeks may determine whether Boeing truly faces justice — or avoids it once again.