Father Awaits Justice for Sons' Fatalities in Boeing 737 Max Incidents
A father who lost his two sons in a Boeing Max crash awaits a decision from the U.S. Justice Department regarding the potential prosecution of Boeing for the two disasters, which killed 346 people. Ike Riffel fears that his family may not receive justice if the company is offered a deferred prosecution agreement or allowed to plead guilty, rather than facing trial. He and Susan Riffel, parents of Melvin and Bennett, want answers on who was responsible for their sons' deaths and seek truth from the tragedy.
The tragic loss of two sons in the Boeing Max crashes has left Ike and Susan Riffel, their parents, grappling with unanswered questions. As the U.S. Justice Department weighs the potential prosecution of Boeing for its role in these disasters, which killed 346 people, including Melvin and Bennett Riffel, the family awaits answers on who was responsible for their sons' deaths and seeks truth from the tragedy [1].
In a series of closed-door meetings, Boeing crash victims' families, including the Riffels, have expressed disappointment and frustration with the Justice Department's approach to the case [1]. While Boeing agreed to a deferred prosecution deal in 2021, acknowledging the role of its technical pilots in deceiving safety regulators about a faulty software system [1], some families believe that the company has not been held fully accountable [1].
The Justice Department's decision to revisit Boeing's compliance with its deferred prosecution agreement comes after a door panel blew out of an Alaska Airlines aircraft in January, revealing ongoing safety issues within the company [1]. Although Boeing maintains that it has met the terms of its agreement [1], prosecutors have found otherwise, potentially paving the way for criminal fraud charges against the company [1].
The Riffels, like many other families, are hopeful that this development will bring them closer to justice for their loved ones [1]. They join other victims' families in their quest to hold Boeing accountable and ensure that similar tragedies do not occur in the future [1].
As the legal process unfolds, the families of the Boeing Max crash victims will continue to watch closely, seeking answers and closure in the wake of their devastating loss [1].
References:
[1] Connolly Ryan, N. (2024, May 25). Boeing faces new criminal probe over 737 crashes. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2024/05/25/boeing-737-justice-department-criminal-prosecution/