Boeing takes blame in Ethiopia Max crash

Boeing has broadly agreed to accept responsibility for the crash of a 737 Max in Ethiopia in 2019 and to be responsible for successful compensation claims by most families of the 157 people who were killed.

Under a deal filed in federal court Wednesday, Boeing will accept blame for the crash, and it will take responsibility for compensatory damages awarded to the victims’ families in the future. The families agreed not to seek punitive damages from Boeing, which they were unlikely to have won.

Boeing also agreed not to try to have cases moved if families filed lawsuits for compensatory damages in Illinois, where it has its headquarters, in a victory for families in jurisdictions that limit the amount of money awarded for such claims.

“This is a significant milestone for the families in their pursuit of justice against Boeing, as it will ensure they are all treated equitably and eligible to recover full damages under Illinois law while creating a pathway for them to proceed to a final resolution, whether through settlements or trial,” a committee representing most of the victims’ families said in a statement.

The deal covers all but two of the families with outstanding cases.

“By accepting responsibility, Boeing’s agreement with the families allows the parties to focus their efforts on determining the appropriate compensation for each family,” the company said in a statement.

The 2019 Ethiopia crash and a 2018 crash in Indonesia led to a global ban on Boeing’s bestselling plane, the 737 Max, for about 20 months, costing the company billions of dollars. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the plane for flight late last year, and it has been used widely without incident since then.