Boeing 737 MAX Crash Civil Trial Opens in Chicago for Ethiopian Airlines Disaster

The first civil trials related to the 2019 crash of the Boeing 737 MAX8 jet, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, commenced in Chicago's U.S. District Court, with jury selection starting on November 4, 2025. The crash killed all 157 people on board and has led to multiple lawsuits alleging wrongful death and negligence, with families from 35 countries involved. Two cases were initially tried, representing victims from Kenya and India, with additional cases involving families from Yemen, the U.K., and Ireland scheduled to follow. The litigation centers on Boeing's responsibility, particularly regarding the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) implicated in this and a prior crash, and the calculation of damages owed to victims' families. Boeing has expressed regret over the crashes and has settled most claims but acknowledges families' rights to pursue damages in court. The trial is expected to last about 10 days and is notable for occurring during a federal government shutdown.