The Boeing Company
In January 2021 the Justice Department charged Boeing with conspiracy to defraud the United States and resolved it through a deferred prosecution agreement worth over US$2.5 billionS1. Boeing accepted responsibility for a statement of facts on the deception of the FAA Aircraft Evaluation Group about MCASS2. In May 2024 prosecutors told the court Boeing had breached that agreementS7. A July 2024 guilty plea dealS3 was rejected by the court on 5 December 2024S4. On 29 May 2025 the department moved to dismiss under a non-prosecution agreementS8. The court granted dismissal on 6 November 2025S9. The Fifth Circuit denied the families' petitions in March 2026S6 and rehearing in May 2026S10.
- Also known as
- Boeing
- Headquarters
- United States
- Records from
- United States
- Current status
- Operating aircraft maker. The US criminal case over the 737 MAX certification was dismissed by the federal court in Fort Worth on 6 November 2025 on the Justice Department's motionS9. A Fifth Circuit panel denied the crash families' mandamus petitions on 31 March 2026S6 and denied rehearing en banc on 22 May 2026S10. The mandate issued on 18 June 2026S8.
Scope. This record covers the US federal criminal case tied to the 737 MAX certification. It does not cover civil crash litigation, the January 2024 door plug incident as a safety matter, or Boeing's defense units.
Claims assessed
4 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.- Supported90The 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
- Unresolved65Boeing 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.Company statement, 14 May 20243 records citedFraud
- Outdated96An 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
- Supported96Reuters 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
Cases and proceedings
- 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.
Responses on record
- The Boeing Company, 14 May 2024, on Boeing said in May 2024 that it believed it had honored the terms of its 2021 deferred pro...
Boeing said it believed it had honored the terms of the agreement and wanted to respond to the department.S7
Revision history
- Profile and 4 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.
Source records
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- S1Tier A Boeing Charged with 737 Max Fraud Conspiracy and Agrees to Pay over $2.5 BillionUS Department of Justice. Regulator press release. 7 January 2021.Supports the charge, the DPA and the payment amounts. It does not reflect later events.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S2Tier A Deferred Prosecution AgreementUS Department of Justice. Deferred prosecution agreement. 7 January 2021.Supports Boeing's acceptance of responsibility and the statement of facts on MCAS. It is not a conviction.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- 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
- 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
- S5Tier C Judge approves DOJ decision to drop Boeing criminal caseReuters. Press report. 6 November 2025.Reuters report by David Shepardson on the dismissal and the non-prosecution terms. It does not cover later appeals.Link working, checked 25 October 2026