Boeing said in May 2024 that it believed it had honored the terms of its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, after the Justice Department told the court Boeing had breached it.

Why this label

Prosecutors wrote to the court that Boeing breached its obligations by failing to design, implement and enforce a compliance and ethics program^S7. Boeing disputed this^S7. In July 2024 Boeing agreed to plead guilty^S3, but the court rejected that deal^S4, and the government then chose a non-prosecution agreement and dismissal^S8S9. No court ever ruled on whether a breach occurred. The Fifth Circuit later treated the DPA as moot^S8. The department's determination is a prosecutor's position, not a judicial finding, and the company's denial was never tested. The records do not allow a responsible conclusion either way.

Current procedural position

Breach determined by the Justice Department in a notice to the court on 14 May 2024^S7S8. Never adjudicated. The case was dismissed on 6 November 2025^S9 and the dismissal stands after the Fifth Circuit denied rehearing on 22 May 2026^S10.

Evidence score: 65 of 100

The score grades how well the record establishes this assessment. It is not a score of The Boeing Company. Score = source authority + directness + corroboration + procedural accuracy + currency + reproducibility.

Timeline

1. 14 May 2024DOJ tells the court Boeing breached the DPA, Boeing disputes it^S7
2. 8 July 2024AP reports Boeing agreed to plead guilty^S3
3. 6 November 2025Case dismissed without any ruling on breach^S9

Related cases

• United States v. The Boeing CompanyUS District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Criminal. 4:21-CR-005-O.Stage: Dismissed on the government's motion on 6 November 2025. Crash families' mandamus petitions denied on 31 March 2026, rehearing en banc denied on 22 May 2026, mandate issued on 18 June 2026.
  • 31 March 2026 Fifth Circuit denies the mandamus petitions, Nos. 25-11253 and 25-11254^S6
  • 22 May 2026 Fifth Circuit denies panel rehearing and rehearing en banc^S10

Responses

• The Boeing Company, 14 May 2024: Boeing said it believed it had honored the terms of the agreement and wanted to respond to the department.^S7

Revision history

• 25 October 2026 Assessment first published with label Unresolved.

Have a record that changes this assessment? See corrections and responses.

Sources

1. S7Tier C DOJ says Boeing broke deal that avoided prosecution after 2 fatal 737 Max crashesNPR. Press report. 14 May 2024.Quotes the prosecutors' letter on breach and a Boeing spokeswoman's denial. No byline or date is shown on the page, and the breach notice date is confirmed by the DOJ case page (S8).Link working, checked 25 October 2026
2. S3Tier C Here's what to know about Boeing agreeing to plead guilty to fraud in 737 Max crashesAssociated Press. Press report. 8 July 2024.Reports the plea deal terms by David Koenig and Alanna Durkin Richer. Its status description was overtaken by the court's later orders.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
3. S9Tier A Order, United States v. The Boeing Company, No. 4:21-cr-5-OUS District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Court judgment. 6 November 2025.The order granting the government's motion to dismiss. It does not state dollar amounts or whether dismissal is with prejudice.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
4. S6Tier A In re Naoise Connolly Ryan, et al., No. 25-11253 c/w No. 25-11254US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Court judgment. 31 March 2026.Per curiam panel opinion denying the families' mandamus petitions. The opinion was later amended on 22 May 2026.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
5. S10Tier A On Petitions for Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc, In re Naoise Connolly Ryan, et al., No. 25-11253US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Court judgment. 22 May 2026.Order denying panel rehearing and rehearing en banc, with an amended opinion. It does not address any Supreme Court petition.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
6. S4Tier A Memorandum Opinion and Order, United States v. The Boeing Company, No. 4:21-CR-5-OUS District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Court judgment. 5 December 2024.The court's order rejecting the proposed plea agreement, hosted by the Justice Department. It does not cover the later dismissal.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
7. S8Tier A United States v. The Boeing CompanyUS Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section. Government press release. Last updated 24 July 2026.Case page listing filings and rulings, including the 29 May 2025 non-prosecution agreement and the 18 June 2026 mandate. It summarises rather than decides.Link working, checked 25 October 2026

Other claims about The Boeing Company

• Supported90
  The US Justice Department said in January 2021 that two Boeing 737 MAX Flight Technical Pilots deceived the FAA Aircraft Evaluation Group about MCAS.
  Regulator statement, 7 January 20214 records citedFraud
• Outdated96
  An AP report in July 2024 said Boeing would plead guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and would have a felony conviction.
  Press report, 8 July 20244 records citedCorporate status
• Supported96
  Reuters reported in November 2025 that a federal judge approved the Justice Department's request to dismiss the 737 MAX criminal case against Boeing.
  Press report, 6 November 20254 records citedCorporate status