Ever since the Boeing 737 MAX was first announced in 2011, the jetliner that was supposed to represent the future of the aerospace giant has been plagued by problems.
Despite being Boeing's best-selling model ever, the 737 Max's troubled history includes a pair of fatal crashes, a number of forced landings and ongoing safety and production issues that have resulted in significant financial losses and a severe blow to Boeing's reputation as one of America's most trusted companies.
Federal prosecutors and victims' families are now eagerly awaiting Boeing's decision on a plea deal offered by the federal government. The deal seeks to resolve a criminal fraud charge accusing Boeing of misleading regulators during the approval of the 737 Max jetliner, before two of the planes crashed within months of each other, killing nearly 350 people.
This pivotal decision marks the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of the troubled aircraft.
Newsweek has created a timeline detailing the critical events that have haunted the 737 Max since its introduction 13 years ago.
August 30, 2011: Announcement
Boeing announces the 737 Max, a narrowbody commercial jet designed with larger engines for improved fuel efficiency and flight time, in response to competition from Airbus' A320.
A month earlier, American Airlines said it would place orders for more than 250 new Airbus planes after only buying Boeing for years, leading Boeing to ramp up plans for a competitor to the A320 from its archrival.
January 29, 2016: First Flight
The 737 Max makes its maiden flight at Renton Municipal Airport in Washington state, marking the beginning of its journey in the aviation market.
March 8, 2017: FAA Certification
The FAA certifies the Boeing 737 Max 8, allowing it to enter commercial service. The certification process faced scrutiny because regulators effectively delegated much of the work to Boeing itself.
October 29, 2018: Lion Air Flight JT 610 Crash
A 737 Max 8 operated by the Indonesian carrier Lion Air crashes into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board. The crash is attributed to a malfunction in the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a flight stabilizing feature developed by Boeing, which forces the plane into an uncontrollable dive.
March 10, 2019: Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Crash
Less than five months later, another 737 Max 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashes near Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board. This crash, similar to the Lion Air incident, leads to the immediate grounding of the 737 Max fleet by some countries and carriers, as investigators examine the MCAS software's role in both disasters. Notably, Boeing's biggest U.S. customers, including American and Southwest, say they would continue flying the Max, and the FAA does not immediately issue a grounding.
UPDATED #FAA Statement on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. pic.twitter.com/QJ0m5eaHHJ
— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) March 11, 2019
March 13, 2019: Global Grounding of 737 Max
Following the Ethiopian Airlines crash, aviation regulators worldwide ground the 737 Max fleet. The FAA issues its grounding order three days later after initially maintaining the plane's airworthiness.
November 18, 2020: FAA Clears 737 Max to Fly Again
After extensive reviews and updates to the MCAS software pinpointed as the cause of both accidents, the FAA lifts the grounding order on the 737 Max. Boeing updates pilot training protocols to address the issues that led to the crashes.
January 5, 2024: Alaska Airlines Emergency Landing
After three relatively incident-free years, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 experiences a mid-flight door plug blowout, leading to an emergency landing. Photos and video showing a large hole in the cabin go viral, and the incident revives scrutiny on Boeing's quality control and manufacturing processes.
Passengers file lawsuits against Boeing, citing emotional trauma and negligence.
🚨#BREAKING | Passengers aboard the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, which lost a door mid-flight at 16,000 feet on Jan. 5, have reportedly been contacted by the FBI.
— VOZ (@Voz_US) March 22, 2024
The agency identified them as possible victims of a crime, although it is not yet known which one. pic.twitter.com/2wmI1nfbV4
It is later reported that the FBI contacted passengers on the flight and told them they may have been victims of a crime, while the Dept. of Justice opens a criminal investigation of Boeing.
None of the passengers on the Alaska flight were seriously injured, though many aviation experts said had the blowout happened at a higher altitude it likely would have been catastrophic.
February 2024: Mis-drilled Holes and Leadership Changes
Boeing announces that 50 undelivered 737 Max jets will be reworked due to mis-drilled holes discovered in some fuselages. The company also replaces the head of its 737 Max program as it faces mounting pressure to improve safety and quality control.
March 2024: Bigger Leadership Shakeup
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveals that Boeing has not provided crucial documents related to the Alaska Airlines incident, as the increasingly embattled Boeing CEO, Dave Calhoun, announces his intention to step down by the end of the year. Additional issues with other Boeing aircraft surface, including stuck rudder pedals and missing panels on United Airlines jets.
June 18, 2024: Senate Hearing and Apology
Calhoun and other officials testify before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to address ongoing safety and production issues at the company.
Calhoun apologizes to the families of the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crash victims, many of whom traveled to Washington for the hearing, and faces sharp criticism from senators for Boeing's handling of safety concerns and whistleblower retaliation.
July 1, 2024: Plea Deal Offer
The Department of Justice offers Boeing a plea deal in connection with the two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. Under the terms, Boeing would plead guilty to a criminal conspiracy charge, hire an outside safety compliance monitor and pay a $244 million fine. Families of the crash victims express their outrage, calling the deal a "sweetheart deal" and arguing that it fails to hold Boeing fully accountable.
Boeing has until Friday night, July 5, to either accept or turn down the deal.
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