Washington, US

US aircraft manufacturing giant, Boeing on Sunday (Jul 7) managed to avoid criminal trial after agreeing to plead guilty to charges involving two 737 MAX fatal crashes. Dubbed the more fuel-efficient version of the popular 737 (the best-selling airliner ever), Boeing's fortunes with 737 MAX have been mired in corruption, deceit and death. 

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The aircraft has been responsible for killing 346 people in its short seven years of service - effectively becoming a symbol of safety concern for Boeing. 

Here's a troubled timeline of Boeing's MAX 737 including key events:

August 30, 2011

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In an attempt to secure an advantage over rivals Airbus who were given a large order for A320neo by American Airlines, Boeing launched 737 MAX - an update to the 737. However, rather than providing an all-new design, Boeing only installed larger engines in the plane and called it a day. 

December 8, 2015

The first 737 MAX rolls out of the Renton factory with a new software dubbed Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCASm which would go on to make headlines for the wrong reasons. 

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January 29, 2016

The first 737 MAX takes the flight

March 9, 2017

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certifies the 737 MAX 8 and 11 months later, greenlits the larger version, the 737 MAX 9. 

May 17, 2017

The American company delivers the first MAX 8 to Malaysia-based Malindo Air, owned by Lion Air of Indonesia. 

September 30, 2018

By the end of the month, Boeing received orders for nearly 5,000 MAX jets.

October 20, 2018

All 189 people aboard the Lion Air Flight 610 (a Boeing 737 MAX 8) were killed after it plunged into the Java Sea, minutes after takeoff from Jakarta. 

Also read | Boeing avoids criminal trial over 737 Max crashes after accepting plea deal

November 6, 2018

After an initial investigation, the focus shifted to Boeing's flight-control system and its proprietary software -- MCAS. Indonesian investigators reveal that pilots of the fateful flight struggled for control as the automatic system pushed the nose of the plane, contributing to the crash. 

What is MCAS?

Since Boeing loaded a heavier but fuel-efficient engine in the same chassis, the airplane's weight distribution was altered. Tests revealed that the new 737 tended to automatically pitch up in certain situations.

To prevent such a situation from arising in the air, Boeing introduced MCAS which would automatically push the plane's nose down when it sensed that the jet's nose was pointing too high upwards.

However, pilots were not informed correctly about MCAS, arguing that it was merely a system meant to make the new MAX jet behave just like one of the older 737s.

March 10, 2019

Bearing eerie similarities to the crash in Jakarta, an Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (737 MAX 8) crashed after takeoff in Addis Ababa killing 157 passengers and crew members.

March 2019

Aviation regulators across the globe ordered the grounding of 737 MAX jets, fearing the safety of passengers.

December 23, 2019

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg was fired as he attempted to pressure the FAA to lift the grounding orders against MAX. 

November 18, 2020

The FAA ungrounds MAX after approval of a flight-control software update and other changes by Boeing. 

January 7, 2021

Justice Department charges Boeing with fraud but does not press for prosecution. Instead, the DoJ asks Boeing to pay a $2.5 billion settlement.

December 13, 2021

Whistleblowers allege fundamental problems with safety oversight in the aerospace industry in a report to Congress. 

September 22, 2022

Boeing and US regulators reach a $244 million settlement in deadly MAX crashes.

January 30, 2023

Boeing announced plans for a fourth MAX assembly line in Everett.

Watch | Gravitas: Boeing 737 Max: Parts missing from Indian plane

August 23, 2023

Boeing reports defects in the aft pressure bulkhead, assembled by Spirit.

January 5, 2024

A MAX 9 depressurises over Portland after a fuselage panel blows out. Authorities ground all U.S. MAX 9s the next day.

(With inputs from agencies)