Boeing settles lawsuits with two 737 MAX crash victims’ families on eve of trial

New York Post - Apr 7th, 2025

Planemaker Boeing has reached settlements with the families of two victims from the March 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash involving a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, just before the scheduled start of a trial in the US District Court in Chicago. This trial was set to be the first against Boeing related to the two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which led to a 20-month grounding of the aircraft and cost the company over $20 billion. The settlements pertain to the families of Antoine Lewis, a US Army captain, and Darcy Belanger, a Denver resident, both of whom were among the 157 victims. Boeing had previously acknowledged liability for compensatory damages, but the terms of the new settlements remain undisclosed. Boeing has declined to comment on the settlements.

The legal situation surrounding Boeing is further complicated by ongoing discussions with the US Justice Department regarding a revised plea agreement in a criminal fraud case related to alleged misrepresentations about a key safety system on the 737 MAX. Boeing had agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay a fine of up to $487.2 million in July, following the crashes. However, relatives of the crash victims criticized this agreement as insufficient. As Boeing negotiates this plea deal, the DOJ charged the company criminally for violating a 2021 agreement that had previously shielded it from prosecution over the crashes. A trial date is set for June 23, should no final agreement be reached, highlighting ongoing accountability and regulatory challenges for Boeing.

Boeing Aviation Safety Us Justice Department Criminal Fraud 737 Max Ethiopian Airlines Antoine Lewis Darcy Belanger Settlements

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of Boeing's legal settlements related to the 737 MAX crashes, offering insights into corporate accountability and aviation safety. While it accurately reports key developments, the lack of explicit source attribution and discrepancies in victim names slightly undermine its credibility. The article is clear and accessible, but it would benefit from more diverse perspectives and detailed analysis to enhance its balance and engagement. Overall, it effectively raises awareness of important legal and safety issues, though its impact may be limited without further depth and transparency.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports that Boeing settled lawsuits with families of victims from the Ethiopian Airlines crash, which is supported by multiple sources. However, there is a discrepancy in the victims' names; the story lists Antoine Lewis and Darcy Belanger, whereas other sources confirm the correct names as Michael Lewis and Paul Belanger. The article accurately mentions the trial's significance and Boeing's previous legal admissions, but further verification is needed for the specific details of the upcoming trials and the terms of the settlements, which remain undisclosed.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Boeing's legal issues and settlements, providing a perspective that highlights the company's accountability. However, it lacks viewpoints from Boeing representatives or aviation experts that could offer insight into Boeing's stance or the broader implications of the settlements. The story does not include perspectives from the victims' families or legal experts, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the case's impact.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting the information in a logical sequence that facilitates understanding. It effectively summarizes complex legal proceedings and settlements in a concise manner. However, the lack of explicit source attribution and the discrepancy in victim names slightly detract from its overall clarity. The language is neutral and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative.

Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite its sources, which makes it difficult to assess the credibility and reliability of the information presented. While the details align with reports from reputable news outlets, the lack of direct attributions to official statements or documents weakens the source quality. The story would benefit from including references to court documents or statements from involved parties to enhance its credibility.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding its sources and the basis for its claims, as it does not disclose how the information was obtained or which sources were consulted. This absence of transparency makes it challenging for readers to assess the reliability of the information. Additionally, the article does not clarify any potential conflicts of interest or biases that could impact its impartiality.