Justice Dept. opens criminal probe of mid-flight blowout on 737 Max plane
Washington PostMar 10
Reports: US Dept. of Justice Investigating Boeing
The Facts
According to several US media outlets, the US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) has opened a criminal investigation of aircraft manufacturer Boeing related to an early January incident on an Alaska Airlines flight.
Alaska Airlines said it was cooperating with the probe, while Boeing declined comment about the investigation, which has reportedly included interviewing witnesses — including aircrew — about the Jan. 5 incident in which part of the fuselage blew off while in the air.
The Spin
Narrative A
Obviously, the DOJ's 2021 deal, which was supposed to hold Boeing to account for the crashes that killed more than 300 people, didn't do enough to cause change at the company. Boeing was allowed to buy its way out of trouble. The Jan. 5 incident will hopefully reinvigorate the DOJ to do what it takes to hold Boeing accountable for its lax safety standards.
Narrative B
The National Transportation Safety Board is already probing what may have led to the Jan. 5 incident and whether Boeing's lack of dedication to safety led to the plug blowing off the aircraft. The DOJ getting involved at this point could intimidate witnesses who are cooperating with the Board but might clam up if there's a risk of criminal charges. It could be too early for the DOJ to interject.
Nerd narrative
There is a 40% chance that by 2050, it will be possible to purchase a zero-emissions flight from New York to London for less than half US weekly household income, according to the Metaculus Prediction Community.