United States investigators have penalized Boeing for disclosing details of an investigation into a mid-air blowout incident involving a 737 MAX. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accused Boeing of violating rules by sharing non-public investigative information and speculating about the incident during a factory tour. The NTSB's decision sheds light on the strained relationship between Boeing and government agencies as criminal charges loom over the planemaker. Boeing issued an apology following the NTSB's criticism and will no longer have access to information from the investigation while retaining its party status. The planemaker faced backlash for making comments that exceeded the NTSB's role as the source of investigative information. The NTSB specifically pointed out Boeing's provision of analysis on potential causes of the accident, which breached its agreement with the agency. In a separate development, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is scrutinizing Boeing for possible violations of a 2021 settlement related to the MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. US prosecutors are considering bringing criminal charges against the company, adding to its legal troubles. The recent fallout between Boeing and the NTSB reflects a history of strained relations, marked by past controversies and criticisms. The NTSB emphasized the importance of focusing on the accident's probable cause rather than assigning blame to individuals. This incident underscores the complexities of air safety investigations and the distinction between civil and judicial probes seeking accountability. Boeing's missteps in handling information related to the Alaska Airlines emergency have reignited concerns about the planemaker's transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements.