Boeing Plea Deal Outrages Ethiopian Airlines Crash Victims’ Families A recent plea deal between Boeing and the U.S. Department of Justice has ignited outrage and anger among the families of victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash. In the deal, Boeing admitted to criminal conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by misleading regulators about the safety of the 737 MAX aircraft. The plea agreement resulted in a fine of $2.5 billion and the appointment of a three-year independent monitor to oversee Boeing’s safety compliance. However, the families of the 157 victims who perished in the Ethiopian Airlines crash are furious over the lack of criminal charges against Boeing executives. They argue that the plea deal represents a slap on the wrist for the company responsible for the deadly tragedy. “This deal is a mockery of justice,” said Bekele Nega, whose daughter passed away in the crash. “Boeing knew that the 737 MAX was unsafe and they chose to put profits over the lives of our loved ones.” The victims’ families allege that Boeing employees deliberately concealed critical information about the aircraft’s flight control system (MCAS) from regulators. They claim that if the FAA had been made aware of the risks, the plane would never have been certified to fly. “Boeing should be held accountable for the deaths of our children,” said Habtamu Tadesse, who lost his brother in the crash. “This plea deal only adds insult to injury.” The Boeing plea deal has also drawn criticism from aviation safety experts. John Cox, a former airline pilot and safety consultant, called the fine “woefully inadequate” and said it “sends the wrong message to the aviation industry.” “Boeing must be held fully responsible for their actions,” Cox added. “The families of the victims deserve justice, and this plea deal falls far short of achieving that.” The families of the Ethiopian Airlines crash victims are vowing to continue their fight for accountability. They are demanding that Boeing executives be criminally charged and that the company provide full compensation to the bereaved families.Boeing Plea Deal Sparks Outrage Among Ethiopian Airlines Crash Victims’ FamiliesBoeing Plea Deal Sparks Outrage Among Ethiopian Airlines Crash Victims’ Families Relatives of those who perished in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash have vehemently condemned Boeing’s recently announced plea deal with the US Department of Justice. The crash, which occurred in March 2019, tragically claimed the lives of 157 people. As part of the plea deal, Boeing admitted to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge linked to its 737 Max aircraft. In return, the company agreed to pay a $243.6 million fine, a sum that falls significantly short of the $24.8 billion sought by the victims’ families. The prosecution had been eagerly anticipated by many with the hope that it would shed light on the events leading up to the crash, especially considering a similar incident involving the same aircraft model with Indonesia’s Lion Air. However, the plea deal has provided limited insights. Victims’ families and their representatives have vehemently argued that Boeing’s senior executives should be held accountable for allegedly concealing crucial information about the aircraft’s flight control software. They accuse the company of prioritizing profits over safety concerns. The plea deal has further fueled their sense of injustice and the perceived lack of accountability. They have expressed deep disappointment over the lenient penalty imposed on Boeing, and the failure to hold individuals responsible for the tragic events. According to SEMAFOR, the source of the information, the plea agreement has intensified the victims’ families’ feeling of outrage and indignation, leaving them with little hope that true accountability will ever be achieved.Families of the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that killed 157 people in 2019 are calling for a criminal prosecution of Boeing, rejecting a plea deal that allows the company to avoid criminal charges. Boeing entered into a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice in January 2021, admitting that it had concealed safety issues related to the plane’s anti-stall system, which was implicated in both the Ethiopian Airlines crash and the crash of a Lion Air flight in 2018. Under the agreement, Boeing will pay $2.5 billion in fines, compensation to victims’ families, and investments in safety initiatives, and will be subject to three years of oversight by an independent monitor. However, the agreement does not include any criminal charges against the company or its employees. Families of the victims are outraged by the plea deal, saying that it lets Boeing off too easily for the deaths of their loved ones. They argue that Boeing should be held criminally responsible for its negligence and misconduct. “This deal is a slap in the face to the families of the victims,” said Michael Stumo, whose daughter Samya died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash. “Boeing killed our loved ones, and they’re getting away with it.” Families are also concerned about the lack of transparency in the plea deal. They say they were not given sufficient information about the terms of the agreement and were not consulted before it was finalized. “We’re not asking for much,” said Stumo. “We just want justice for our loved ones.” Boeing has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and has said that it is committed to safety. The company has also said that it is cooperating with the ongoing criminal investigation into the crashes. The Department of Justice has defended the plea deal, saying that it is the best way to hold Boeing accountable for its actions and to ensure that the company makes necessary safety improvements. However, families of the victims remain unconvinced. They are calling for a new criminal investigation and are considering filing a civil lawsuit against Boeing.