Boeing accepts plea deal for 737 Max crashes, could pay fine of nearly $245 million

Boeing will plead guilty to criminal fraud due to 737 Max crashes, which allows the company to avoid standing trial, according to reports.

Boeing, under the deal, would face a fine of as much as $487.2 million. However, the Justice Department recommended the court credit Boeing $243.6 million that the aeronautics manufacturer paid under a previous agreement, bringing the new estimated fine down to $243.6 million, according to NBC News. 

"We have reached an agreement in principle on terms of a resolution with the Justice Department, subject to the memorialization and approval of specific terms," a spokesperson for Boeing said, according to the Fox Business Network.