Boeing HQ
Today’s key stories focus on Boeing’s potential prosecution in the wake of conflicting news reports over the weekend. The DOJ faces a 7 July 2024 deadline on whether or not to bring charges against the company. The most recent stories speak to prosecutors recommending that the DOJ bring charges against Boeing. Many considered the initial deferred prosecution agreement to be a ‘slap on the wrist’ and controversial. The families of the crash victims have requested a much larger financial penalty, as well as potential fraud charges against Boeing executives. This pending decision will likely continue to be a daily story speculating on an outcome until the decision is released.
In other headlines, the death of a Boeing whistleblower hasn’t deterred others from coming forward. A Korean Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced a pressurization issue, resulting in 13 injuries as the aircraft rapidly descended from cruising altitude. Investigation is underway as to the cause of the problem.
The reacquisition of Spirit Aerosystems by Boeing has European unions concerned regarding the spin-out of facilities in Belfast related to work for Airbus, Bombardier and other industry players. Unions are readying for a battle to save jobs and not face cutbacks.
Finally, with the astronauts “stranded” on the space station, while engineers look at repairs and potential software fixes to optimize the working thrusters, the question of whether this further delays Boeing’s program, including a long-duration astronaut flight. Did new flights just slip to 2025, which will be costly for Boeing given their fixed cost contract that is already overrun.
Links to today’s key stories follow:
- Boeing will either face or not face accountability – The American Prospect
- US prosecutors recommend Department of Justice brings criminal charges against Boeing – BBC
- One Boeing whistleblower killed himself but it hasn’t stopped more from speaking out – iNews
- Thirteen passengers injured as Boeing plane malfunctions – Newsweek
- Unions talk tough amid fears of Spirit carve-up – The Irish News
- Boeing astronauts ‘stranded’ on space station: What we know – Newsweek
- Will Boeing Starliner issues delay its 1st long-duration astronaut flight? It is too soon to tell – Space
