U.S. Judge Speeds Up Boeing 737 MAX Crash Case Ruling

A U.S. judge has expedited the timeline for reviewing objections to the Justice Department's plea deal with Boeing regarding the fatal 737 MAX crashes. Boeing has agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge, paying a $243.6 million fine. The judge set specific deadlines for objections and responses from the involved parties.

A U.S. judge has expedited the review of objections to the Justice Department's plea deal with Boeing concerning the deadly 737 MAX crashes. The planemaker agreed in principle on July 7 to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay a $243.6 million fine.

U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor in Texas outlined a tight schedule: after the Justice Department files the plea agreement, relatives of the victims have one week to file objections. The government and Boeing will then have two weeks to respond, followed by a five-day period for the families to reply. Attorney Erin Applebaum, representing some victims' relatives, criticized the deal as a mere "slap on the wrist."

Boeing admits to deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration about key software for the 737 MAX, a fault that led to fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019, resulting in 346 deaths. As part of the deal, Boeing will spend $455 million over three years to improve safety and compliance programs, and an independent monitor will be appointed to oversee its adherence to the terms, with annual public reports.

(With inputs from agencies.)