Despite the tragic loss of 346 lives in the fatal Boeing crashes of 2018 and 2019, the statute of limitations has likely expired, making it unlikely that executives will face criminal charges, according to U.S. Justice Department officials. The Justice Department concluded in May that Boeing had violated a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement (DPA), which had protected the company from criminal prosecution in exchange for adhering to certain terms over three years. However, an in-flight incident just before the expiration of the DPA revealed ongoing safety and quality concerns.