WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday

approved a request by the Justice Department to dismiss a

criminal case against Boeing ( BA ) in a deal that allowed the

planemaker to avoid prosecution on a charge stemming from two

fatal 737 MAX plane crashes that killed 346 people but harshly

criticized it.

Judge Reed O'Connor said he disagreed with the Justice

Department that dismissing the case is in the public interest

but said he did not have authority to reject the decision. He

added the government's deal with Boeing ( BA ) "fails to secure the

necessary accountability to ensure the safety of the flying

public.