Boeing crash relatives seek $25bn fine for 'deadliest corporate crime in US history'

Core Viewpoint - Boeing faces a potential fine of nearly $25 billion and criminal proceedings related to two fatal 737 MAX 8 crashes, as argued by relatives of the victims, who label it the "deadliest corporate crime in US history" [1][3] Group 1: Legal and Regulatory Issues - The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has filed a case against Boeing for breaching a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, which had previously shielded the company from criminal prosecution [1][2] - Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion to resolve investigations into its conduct and to compensate victims' families following the crashes in 2018 and 2019 [1] - Relatives of the victims are urging the Texas court to dismiss the deferred prosecution agreement, asserting that a maximum fine exceeding $24 billion is legally justified [3] Group 2: Recent Incidents and Investigations - A recent incident involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines, which experienced a mid-air panel blowout, has prompted multi-agency investigations, including by the DoJ [2] - The MAX 8 fleet was grounded for 20 months following the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 disaster in March 2019, which resulted in the deaths of all 157 on board [2] Group 3: Corporate Governance and Management Changes - A significant management shake-up is underway, with both the CEO and chairman set to depart, amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny and production limitations affecting Boeing's earnings [4] - Boeing's share price has decreased by one-third in the year to date, reflecting the impact of regulatory actions and production challenges [4] Group 4: Safety and Quality Concerns - The CEO defended Boeing's safety record during a Senate hearing, denying claims that the company prioritized profits over safety, while expressing condolences to the families of crash victims [5] - A whistleblower report has raised allegations of defective parts being used in 737 variant aircraft, with claims that Boeing attempted to conceal evidence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) [5][6]