Boeing breached obligations under an agreement that had shielded it against legal proceedings for the accidents, department officials said in a letter to a federal court in Texas.
Such a breach would mean Boeing can be prosecuted for any violation of federal law related to the crashes, according to US justice officials. "This is a positive first step, and for the families, a long time coming," said attorney Paul Cassell, who represents crash victim families. It was the second accident in five months for a 737 MAX aircraft, a product line meant to replace the 737 NG.
As Boeing faces multiple inquiries and audits in the US and abroad, it has repeatedly assured critics that it is working"with full transparency and under the oversight" of FAA regulators.