Boeing reaches deal over 737 MAX crashes, agrees to pay $243M fine

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Boeing has reached a deal with the US Justice Department over two fatal 737 MAX aircraft crashes over five years ago, according to media reports Monday.

The American aircraft manufacturer has agreed to pay a $243.6 million fine in connection with the crashes in Indonesia in October 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019. The two crashes, occurring less than five months apart, claimed the lives of a total of 346 people on board.

While Boeing will be overseen by an independent compliance monitor for three years in a probationary period, the company is also required to invest at least $455 million in compliance and safety programs.

The Justice Department said in May that the company broke a 2021 settlement over the fatal 737 MAX crashes by failing to establish a compliance program.

The aircraft manufacturer in January 2021 had agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle a conspiracy charge with the Justice Department, which included $500 million fund for victims' family members. In September 2022, it also agreed to pay $200 million to settle charges for misleading investors about its 737 MAX aircraft.

The 737 MAX passenger aircraft was grounded around the world between March 2019 and December 2020.