Boeing returns to court this week to address a civil lawsuit linked to the Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash, which claimed the life of Samya Stumo, a young American working for a public health NGO.
The trial is scheduled to start in Chicago, with jury selection taking place on Monday and Tuesday, followed by opening statements on Wednesday.
Stumo was among the 157 victims who perished in the March 2019 crash shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa. This incident followed a similar crash of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia just months earlier.
Both crashes were linked to issues with Boeing's anti-stall software, raising serious safety concerns.
Initially, Boeing faced 155 civil lawsuits regarding wrongful death and negligence but settled most claims. The current trial focuses on financial compensation for victims' families.
These incidents sparked congressional hearings, as lawmakers demanded accountability from Boeing, leading to significant leadership changes within the company.
Despite experiencing a downturn in business from 2018 to 2024, Boeing has recently shown signs of recovery under CEO Kelly Ortberg, who emphasizes the need for restored trust.
The 737 MAX disasters have led to calls for stricter aviation safety regulations.
Aviation Safety Advocates
In a previous trial, a jury awarded $28.45 million to the widower of another crash victim, Shikha Garg.
Stumo's parents have become outspoken advocates for improved aviation safety, with her mother, Nadia Milleron, even running for Congress.
Michael Stumo, Samya's father, is currently involved in economic policy for the Office of Management and Budget.