A US federal judge has dismissed a criminal conspiracy charge against Boeing linked to two fatal 737 MAX crashes that killed 346 people, allowing the company to avoid a felony conviction that could have jeopardised its government contracts.
The ruling by Judge Reed O’Connor in Texas followed a Department of Justice agreement under which Boeing will pay about $1.1 billion in fines, victim compensation, and safety improvements. The DOJ said Boeing had met its obligations under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, though the judge expressed concern about the absence of independent oversight.
The case stems from the 2018 Lion Air and 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crashes, both tied to Boeing’s flawed MCAS flight-control system. Boeing previously entered a deferred prosecution agreement in 2021, admitting to misleading regulators and paying $1.7 billion in settlements and penalties.
The DOJ later determined that Boeing had violated that deal but agreed to settle the issue without prosecution. Families of crash victims condemned the outcome as “morally repugnant,” while their attorney vowed to appeal. Boeing maintains that the settlement ensures accountability and ongoing safety reforms.
Image credit: Sven Piper
Advice to Boeing-
Re-start the 727 as a twin jet with the engines mounted aft of the fuselage and include a full-service APU where the center engine used to be, with a smaller air intake for drag reduction.
Use P&W military-grade turbofan engines.
No wing pylons to fatigue, especially from turbulence flexing both the wings and engine mounts & pylons.
No Vmc from having to deal with asymetrical thrust.
A ‘clean wing’ with little disruption to air flow.
Include twin-stair servicing platforms for engine maintenance and servicing.
‘TIS TIME TO GO BACK TO THE FUTURE!
There is also talk of transforming the 747 into a massive twin-jet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMlOrzsj7yY
Not a bad idea, but…
An internal center engine add-on (like the old 727…) is desirable for trans-oceanic flight and cargo hauling, shortening runway usage, and can be shut-down once at altitude with no external drag in order to save fuel. If there is a shut-down on a wing-mounted engine, the center engine can be fired-up to cancel-out the drift-down factor.
And, the Flight Engnieer position will need to be returned.
BUT…UNLESS ELON MUSK CAN GET ON BOARD WITH THESE IDEAS, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN!
China Airlines Flight 611’s Mid Air Crack | Mayday: Air Disaster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8TnoZxHlVI
Had completed 21,180 takeoff and land cycles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZXY0F89DLI&list=RDJZXY0F89DLI&start_radio=1
http://whale.to/b/lockerbie_h.html