Boeing has filed a federal lawsuit against the estate of liquidated Cameroon Airlines, alleging the defunct carrier breached its contract by seeking nearly USD179 million in damages over a fatal 1995 crash involving a B737-200.
The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle on July 17, claims that Cameroon Airlines' estate is barred from litigation by a liability waiver and indemnity agreement signed when the aircraft was purchased in 1984.
The legal dispute centres on the December 3, 1995, crash at Douala of B737-200, TJ-CBE (msn 23386), which killed 71 people. The flight was operated by Cameroon Airlines, which went out of business in 2008.
A 1996 investigation led by the Cameroonian government concluded the crash was caused by a loss of control during an aborted landing after an engine fan blade failed. The aircraft was equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW JT8D engines.
According to the complaint, that investigation found no evidence that Boeing's design, manufacturing, or manuals contributed to the accident. The failed fan blade had been installed by a third-party maintenance contractor long after Boeing had delivered the aircraft.
Despite the investigation's findings, the court-appointed liquidator of Cameroon Airlines launched a lawsuit against Boeing and Pratt & Whitney in Douala in November 2024. In that action, the liquidator alleges the aircraft was defective and that Boeing failed to provide adequate training for single-engine manoeuvres. The estate is seeking damages for a replacement aircraft, operating losses, and reputational harm.
Boeing's arguments
Boeing's attorneys argue that the 1984 purchase agreement contains a clear "disclaimer and release" that waived all rights to sue for defects after warranties expired.
Additionally, Boeing claims the contract required the airline to "indemnify, defend, and hold Boeing harmless" for services provided after delivery, including pilot training. Boeing is asking the court to declare the liability waivers valid and enforceable.
The manufacturer is also seeking monetary damages for breach of contract, including the recovery of legal fees spent defending itself in Cameroon. The amount claimed is not disclosed.
Boeing states it attempted to resolve the matter out of court in November 2025, but the liquidator did not respond to the demand for indemnity.
The case is The Boeing Company v. Cameroon Airlines, No. 2:26-cv-2542.
