I want to see charges levied against some specific individuals, not an amorphous corporation, in order to drive actual changes to individual’s behavior within said corporation.<p>The Chief Project Engineer, Michael Teal, would seem to be an appropriate person to be charged. It was his responsibility as the CPE to oversee the safe design and testing of the MAX. It was his responsibility to ensure that adequate engineering processes and resources were in place to assess the safety and certification impact of design changes that occurred as the design matured, in accordance with federal law. (14 CFR §21.93 if you care. Mr. Teal apparently did not.) It was his physical signature on the FAA form 8110-12 Application for Type Certificate that affirmed that all the data provided to the FAA to support certification was true and correct, and it apparently was not. If the Federal Government was defrauded, that would the smoking gun to indicate whodunnit.<p><a href="https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Form/8110-12_20240206.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Form/8110-12_20240...</a><p>If you want a laugh, just read the transcript of his testimony before Congress. In my opinion, his answers provide clear evidence of his dereliction of duty.<p>Insipid local media coverage: <a href="https://archive.is/fPy0p" rel="nofollow">https://archive.is/fPy0p</a><p>The real meat: <a href="https://democrats-transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/FINAL%20Michael%20Teal%20(Boeing)%20Transcript%20and%20Exhibits%20and%20Attachment%20(9.9.20).pdf" rel="nofollow">https://democrats-transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/FIN...</a>
Seems like it would be better to go to trial even if they are not convinced the jury will convict. It's in the publics interest to have all the information out there instead of swept under the rug
This was to be expected. Boeing is vital to national security not because of the aircraft it makes, but the supply chains it sustains.<p>As long as the USD has any value, Boeing will be kept alive.
Rest of us: "Why do you earn the big bucks?"<p>Executives: "Because we take great risks."<p>Rest of us: "Oh, this must mean that you either resign or gets fired when you fuck up, right?"<p>Executives: "Lolz no. We can't do that. We fire other people."<p>Rest of us: "At least, for major fuck ups, go to jail right?"<p>Executives: "Roflz no. Hellz naw. That's why created plea deals and pay petty fines."<p>Rest of us: "Thank you for your service."
I like how people are found dead, there are living whistle blowers, doors fall off planes, processes aren’t followed, complaints, and accusations of forging certifications…<p>And their stock doesn’t even move on the 3 month timeline. Take the whole market dip away at 6 months and I’m not sure it’s moved at all.
If you discount the conspiracy theories, the normal reason for these types of deals is the DOJ does not feel confident they would actually win their case.<p>The deal essentially measures how likely each party feels that they can win.
People should be talking more about Jim McNerney. More than anyone else, he caused the cultural changes at Boeing that led to these disasters. He was some generic MBA with no aviation experience that followed the typical Jack Welch playbook and left before the consequences became apparent.