Boeing has successfully avoided a criminal charge in the United States related to two fatal 737 Max crashes, following a court decision to dismiss the case. The ruling, issued by Judge Reed O’Connor, came in response to a request from the U.S. government to drop the charge. While Judge O’Connor expressed personal disagreement with the decision, stating that it did not align with the public interest, he acknowledged that his concerns were insufficient to override the government’s proposal. This outcome represents a significant victory for Boeing, which had faced renewed legal scrutiny after the government accused it of violating a prior settlement tied to the crashes. The dismissal, however, was met with opposition from families of the victims, who sought to hold Boeing accountable through a trial. Attorney Paul Cassell, representing some of the families, announced plans to appeal the ruling, emphasizing the need to address perceived injustices. In his decision, Judge O’Connor criticized the government’s rationale for avoiding a trial as ‘unserious’ and expressed doubts about the new agreement’s ability to ensure public safety. Nonetheless, he deferred to the government’s presumed ‘good faith’ in the matter. The Department of Justice (DOJ) defended the agreement, highlighting extensive consultations with victims’ families and asserting that the resolution provides closure and immediate action from Boeing. Boeing, in turn, reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement and ongoing efforts to enhance safety and compliance. The case stems from two catastrophic 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, which claimed 346 lives. Boeing had previously admitted to criminal fraud conspiracy charges in 2021, paying $2.5 billion in fines and compensation while pledging to improve safety standards. The case was reopened in 2023 following another incident involving a 737 Max, leading to accusations of breaching the original settlement. Under a new proposal in 2024, Boeing agreed to plead guilty, pay an additional $243 million fine, and accept court oversight. However, Judge O’Connor rejected this deal in December 2023, citing concerns over the selection of the monitor. The latest settlement, which dropped the criminal charge, requires Boeing to hire an independent compliance consultant and commit $1.1 billion, including penalties and compensation to victims’ families. Prosecutors justified the dismissal by citing Boeing’s ‘meaningful progress’ in anti-fraud and conspiracy programs.