Boeing, an American aircraft manufacturer, is facing a deadline to admit guilt in connection with the crash of two 737 Max aircraft. Additionally, the company is reacquiring a supplier back into the business after a series of mishaps. The US Department of Justice is pushing for charges of fraud against Boeing, giving the company the option to plead guilty as part of a settlement or risk a trial. The crashes of the two 737 Max aircraft in 2018 and 2019 resulted in the loss of 346 lives.
Boeing has until the end of the week to make a decision on accepting the settlement, which would include a guilty plea, a fine of $243.6 million, and the acceptance of an independent supervisor. If Boeing admits guilt, it could jeopardize their status as a contractor for the American government, as government contracts make up a significant portion of the company’s revenue. This situation comes at a time when Boeing is already under pressure due to quality defects in its commercial aircraft.
In addition to any potential penalties that Boeing may have to pay, which would be in addition to a previous $243.6 million payment in 2021, there is also backlash from critics who feel that justice has not been served given the loss of innocent lives. There are concerns that this will set a dangerous precedent for other companies involved in accidents caused by human error or equipment failure.
The controversy surrounding Boeing’s troubles has also extended beyond legal issues related to the 737 Max crashes and quality control concerns with its commercial aircraft. In recent years, there have been reports about safety issues with other models such as the Dreamliner and Starliner spacecraft, leading many to question whether Boeing can be trusted with designing and manufacturing safe aircraft.