WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday approved a request by the Justice Department to dismiss a criminal case against Boeing 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 "fails to secure the necessary accountability to ensure the safety of the flying public.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)

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