Boeing’s decision to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge marks a watershed moment in the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation into the deadly crashes of two 737 MAX aircraft. These accidents, which claimed 346 lives in Indonesia and Ethiopia between 2018 and 2019, exposed critical flaws in Boeing’s safety practices and led to a worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX fleet. The plea deal, which entails a $243.6 million fine and requires judicial approval, would result in Boeing being labeled a convicted felon, carrying significant repercussions for the company on multiple fronts.