The US Department of Justice (DOJ) says it is considering prosecuting Boeing over two fatal incidents involving its 737 Max aircraft.
The airline giant violated the terms of a 2021 agreement that protected it from criminal charges related to the incidents, according to the DOJ. Boeing has denied violating the agreement.
Boeing stated that it was looking forward to the opportunity to respond to the Justice Department
The crashes, one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019 killed a total of 346 people.
The plane maker failed to “design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the US fraud laws throughout its operations,” the DOJ said.
Boeing stated that it was looking forward to the opportunity to respond to the Justice Department and “believes it honored the terms of that agreement.”
Boeing paid a $2.5 billion settlement, and prosecutors agreed to urge the court to drop criminal charges after three years.
The DOJ stated that Boeing has until June 13 to reply to the allegations and that what it said would be taken into consideration as it decides what to do next.
The relatives of the victims have called for criminal action against the company.
“This is a positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming. But we need to see further action from the DOJ to hold Boeing accountable,” a lawyer for victims’ families, Paul G. Cassell, said in a statement.
Boeing has been under increased criticism over the safety of its aircraft since an unused door came off a new 737 Max shortly after takeoff in January, leaving a gaping hole in the plane’s side.