Full Breakdown
Jury Awards $29 Million to Widow of Irish UN Engineer in Boeing 737 MAX Case
8/14/2026, 4:37:20 AM
Core Event
A Chicago federal jury awarded US $29 million (approximately €25 million) in damages to Naoise Connolly Ryan, the widow of Michael “Mick” Ryan, an Irish United Nations World Food Programme engineer who died when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed on March 10, 2019. The verdict follows a civil suit filed against Boeing, the aircraft’s manufacturer, alleging negligence in the design of the 737 MAX’s anti-stall software.
Background of the Crash
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX, departed Addis Ababa for Nairobi on March 10, 2019. The aircraft left the airport at 8:38 a.m. local time and lost contact with the control tower six minutes later, at 8:44 a.m. The jet, only a few months old, had its last maintenance on February 4, 2019 and had accumulated roughly 1,200 flight hours. All 157 occupants, representing 35 countries, were killed. Investigations later identified the anti-stall software as a contributing factor.
Legal Action and Verdict
In December 2021, Naoise Connolly Ryan filed a lawsuit in the United States seeking accountability for the crash. The case was one of the final remaining civil actions against Boeing stemming from the two fatal MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which together claimed 346 lives. On August 12, a US court spokesman confirmed that the Chicago jury awarded $29 million to the Ryan family.
Official Statements & Responses
- Boeing: The company expressed deep sorrow for all who lost loved ones in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents and reiterated respect for families’ right to pursue legal claims. Boeing also acknowledged that the anti-stall software was implicated in both crashes.
- Plaintiff’s Counsel: Steven Marks highlighted the family’s determination to seek accountability through a jury rather than accepting a settlement, noting that the verdict marks a significant milestone in broader efforts to hold Boeing responsible and to improve aircraft safety.
- US Court: A spokesperson for the Chicago court confirmed the $29 million judgment, underscoring the jury’s consideration of the evidence presented.
Related Compensation Awards
In May 2024, another Chicago jury awarded US $49.5 million to the family of Samya Stumo, a 24-year-old American who also perished on the same Ethiopian Airlines flight. The award reflects ongoing litigation outcomes related to the 2019 crash.
Timeline of Key Events
- February 4, 2019 – Last maintenance performed on the aircraft; total flight time 1,200 hours.
- March 10, 2019 – Flight 302 departs Addis Ababa, crashes near Bishoftu, killing all 157 aboard.
- December 2021 – Naoise Connolly Ryan files civil suit against Boeing in the United States.
- August 12, 2024 – Chicago jury delivers $29 million verdict to the Ryan family.
- May 2024 – Separate jury awards $49.5 million to Samya Stumo’s family for the same crash.
Impact and Significance
The $29 million judgment underscores the legal accountability mechanisms available to victims’ families when aircraft manufacturers are implicated in safety failures. While the award does not compensate for the loss of life, it signals judicial willingness to scrutinize corporate responsibility for design flaws. The decision also adds pressure on Boeing to address safety concerns associated with the 737 MAX platform, complementing regulatory actions taken after the 2018 and 2019 crashes.
