Since the Boeing 737 MAX was first announced in 2011, the passenger plane that was meant to represent the future of the aviation and space giant has been beset by numerous problems.

Although the 737 Max is Boeing’s best-selling model ever, its checkered history includes two fatal crashes, a string of forced landings, and ongoing safety and production problems that have resulted in significant financial losses and severely damaged Boeing’s reputation as one of America’s most trusted companies.

Federal prosecutors and victims’ families are now eagerly awaiting Boeing’s decision on a settlement proposed by the federal government. The settlement is intended to resolve a criminal fraud charge accusing Boeing of misleading regulators in approving the 737 Max jet before two planes crashed months apart, killing nearly 350 people.

The landmark decision opens the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of the problematic plane.

Newsweek created a timeline detailing the key events that have occurred with the 737 Max since its introduction 13 years ago.

August 30, 2011: Announcement

Boeing announces the launch of the 737 Max, a single-aisle commercial plane with larger engines for improved fuel efficiency and longer flight times, intended to compete with the Airbus A320.

A month earlier, American Airlines said it would place orders for more than 250 new Airbus planes after years of buying exclusively Boeing, prompting Boeing to accelerate plans to create an A320 competitor to its main rival.

January 29, 2016: First flight

The 737 Max made its first flight at Renton Municipal Airport in Washington, marking the beginning of its presence in the aviation market.

March 8, 2017: FAA Certification

The FAA certifies the Boeing 737 Max 8, allowing it to enter commercial service. The certification process has come under scrutiny because regulators have effectively delegated much of the work to Boeing itself.

October 29, 2018: Lion Air Flight JT 610 Crash

A 737 Max 8 operated by Indonesian airline Lion Air crashes into the Java Sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board. The crash is attributed to a failure of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a flight stabilization feature developed by Boeing that forces the plane into an uncontrolled dive.

March 10, 2019: Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash

Less than five months later, another 737 Max 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashes near Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board. That crash, like the Lion Air incident, leads to the immediate grounding of the 737 Max fleet by some countries and carriers as investigators look into the role of MCAS software in both crashes. Interestingly, Boeing’s largest U.S. customers, including American and Southwest, say they will continue to fly the Max, and the FAA does not issue an immediate grounding.

March 13, 2019: Global Grounding of 737 Max

Following the Ethiopian Airlines crash, aviation regulators around the world grounded the 737 Max fleet. The FAA issued a grounding order three days later, after initially declaring the plane airworthy.

November 18, 2020: FAA clears 737 Max to fly again

After conducting in-depth analyses and updating the MCAS software that was identified as a cause of both crashes, the FAA lifted the grounding order for the 737 Max. Boeing is updating pilot training protocols to address the issues that led to the crashes.

January 5, 2024: Alaska Airlines Emergency Landing

After three relatively incident-free years, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 suffered a broken door plug in mid-flight, causing an emergency landing. Photos and video of the large hole in the cabin went viral, and the incident brought Boeing’s quality control and manufacturing processes back under control.

Passengers file lawsuits against Boeing, citing emotional trauma and negligence.

It was later reported that the FBI had contacted the passengers on the plane and informed them that they may have been victims of a crime. At that time, the Justice Department had opened a criminal investigation against Boeing.

None of the passengers on the Alaska flight were seriously injured, but many aviation experts believe that if the explosion had occurred at a higher altitude, the effects would likely have been catastrophic.

February 2024: Badly drilled holes and management changes

Boeing announces that 50 undelivered 737 Max planes will be reworked because of misdrilled holes discovered in some fuselages. The company also replaces the head of its 737 Max program as it faces increasing pressure to improve safety and quality control.

March 2024: Major change in management

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is revealing that Boeing failed to provide key documents related to the Alaska Airlines incident, as Boeing’s increasingly embattled CEO Dave Calhoun announces his intention to step down by the end of the year. Other problems with other Boeing planes are also emerging, including stuck rudder pedals and missing panels on United Airlines planes.

June 18, 2024: Senate hearing and apology

Calhoun and other officials testify before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations about ongoing safety and production problems at the company.

Calhoun apologized to the families of victims of the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes, many of whom traveled to Washington for the hearing. He has also faced sharp criticism from senators for Boeing’s handling of safety issues and its crackdown on whistleblowers.

July 1, 2024: Settlement Offer

The Justice Department is offering Boeing a settlement over two deadly 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. Under the terms of the agreement, Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal conspiracy charge, hire an outside safety monitor and pay a $244 million fine. Families of the crash victims have expressed outrage, calling the deal a “sweetheart deal” and arguing that it does not hold Boeing fully accountable.

Boeing has until Friday evening, July 5, to accept or reject the deal.