The families of victims in the tragic Boeing 737 Max plane crashes are demanding justice and a record $24.8 billion fine for what they consider to be the deadliest corporate crime in US history. The proposed fine comes as a result of two fatal crashes involving the Boeing 737 Max in 2018 and 2019, which claimed the lives of 346 people.
The families’ lawyer, Paul Cassell, argues that the fine is “justified and clearly appropriate” given the “enormous human costs” of Boeing’s alleged crimes. In a 32-page letter addressed to the US government, Cassell calls for prosecutions of those leading the company at the time of the crashes.
The letter references Boeing’s Chief Executive, Dave Calhoun, who recently apologized for the grief caused by the crashes during his testimony before Congress. Calhoun admitted to the company’s past mistakes and mistreatment of whistleblowers, claiming that Boeing has since “learned” from these incidents.
Cassell’s clients are also recommending that a portion of the fine be used to implement independent monitoring of Boeing’s safety and compliance measures. Boeing has come under scrutiny for various safety concerns, including an incident where a door panel detached from a 737 Max plane mid-flight.
The tragic crashes in 2018 and 2019 involved a Lion Air flight in Indonesia and an Ethiopian Airlines flight, both resulting in the loss of all passengers on board. Investigations revealed that faulty flight control systems were linked to the accidents.
Family members of the crash victims attended a recent hearing and urged the US government to hold Boeing and its executives accountable for the loss of 346 lives. Zipporah Kuria, who lost her father in the 2019 crash, traveled from England to Washington DC to demand justice and safety improvements at Boeing.
As the families continue to seek closure and accountability, the push for a record fine and prosecutions underscores the gravity of corporate responsibility in aviation safety. The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how companies are held accountable for catastrophic failures in the future.
