Boeing Whistleblower Dead: Two In A Year, Suspicious Circumstances
Boeing, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, has been rocked by the deaths of two whistleblowers in recent months. These deaths have raised concerns about the company’s safety culture and the treatment of employees who speak out about potential problems. In this article, we will examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these whistleblowers and discuss the implications for Boeing and the aviation industry as a whole.
I. Boeing’s Whistleblower Woes
The Case of Joshua Dean
Joshua Dean, a 45-year-old former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alleging “serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line” at Spirit. In 2018 and 2019, two 737 Max planes were involved in fatal crashes, which killed 346 people. Dean was fired by Spirit last year, and filed a complaint with the Department of Labor alleging that his termination was in retaliation for raising safety concerns.According to the Seattle Times, Dean was hospitalized after having trouble breathing. He was intubated and developed pneumonia and a serious infection before dying two weeks later.
The Case of John Barnett
John Barnett, a 62-year-old former Boeing employee, was found dead in March from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Barnett spent almost three decades at Boeing, and told the New York Times in 2019 that he had found “clusters or metal slivers” hanging over the wiring of flight controls that could have caused “catastrophic” damage if they had penetrated wires.He alleged that management had ignored his complaints and moved him to another part of the plant.
| Name | Age | Occupation | Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Dean | 45 | Former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems | Died after a short illness |
| John Barnett | 62 | Former Boeing employee | Found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound |
The deaths of Dean and Barnett have raised concerns about the safety culture at Boeing and the treatment of employees who speak out about potential problems. Boeing has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its aircraft and the well-being of its employees. The company must take steps to address the concerns that have been raised and to create a more open and transparent environment where employees feel comfortable raising safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
II. Safety Concerns and Retaliation
A Culture of Silence
Boeing has been accused of fostering a culture of silence where employees are afraid to speak up about safety concerns. This culture of fear is said to have been created by a number of factors, including:* A top-down management style that discourages dissent* A fear of retaliation from supervisors or colleagues* A lack of clear channels for reporting safety concernsAs a result of this culture of silence, employees who have raised safety concerns have often been ignored, marginalized, or even fired. This has created a chilling effect on the reporting of safety concerns, and has made it difficult for Boeing to identify and address potential problems.
| Name | Occupation | Allegations |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Dean | Former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems | Alleged “serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management” at Spirit |
| John Barnett | Former Boeing employee | Alleged that management ignored his concerns about potential safety hazards |
The Cost of Silence
The culture of silence at Boeing has had a number of negative consequences, including:* The deaths of hundreds of people in two 737 Max crashes* The loss of public trust in Boeing* The damage to Boeing’s reputationIn addition, the culture of silence has made it difficult for Boeing to identify and address other potential safety problems. This could lead to further accidents and fatalities in the future.
A Call for Change
In order to address the safety concerns that have been raised, Boeing must take steps to create a more open and transparent culture where employees feel comfortable raising safety concerns without fear of retaliation. This will require a number of changes, including:* A change in management style to encourage dissent* The establishment of clear channels for reporting safety concerns* A commitment to protecting employees who raise safety concernsThese changes will not be easy to implement, but they are essential to ensuring the safety of Boeing’s aircraft and the public.
III. Two Whistleblowers Dead
In recent months, two Boeing whistleblowers have died under suspicious circumstances. Joshua Dean, a 45-year-old former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, died after a short illness. John Barnett, a 62-year-old former Boeing employee, was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The deaths of Dean and Barnett have raised concerns about the safety culture at Boeing and the treatment of employees who speak out about potential problems. Boeing has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its aircraft and the well-being of its employees. The company must take steps to address the concerns that have been raised and to create a more open and transparent environment where employees feel comfortable raising safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
| Name | Age | Occupation | Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Dean | 45 | Former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems | Died after a short illness |
| John Barnett | 62 | Former Boeing employee | Found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound |
“It’s a tragedy that these two whistleblowers have died,” said Dean’s attorney, Robert Turkewitz. “They were both brave men who spoke out about safety concerns at Boeing, and they paid the ultimate price.”
Boeing has said that it is “deeply saddened” by the deaths of Dean and Barnett. The company has also said that it is committed to creating a safe and open work environment for its employees.
However, some critics have accused Boeing of fostering a culture of silence and retaliation. They say that employees who speak out about safety concerns are often ignored, marginalized, or even fired.
“Boeing needs to take a hard look at its safety culture and make some changes,” said Barnett’s attorney, Brian Knowles. “Employees need to feel comfortable raising safety concerns without fear of retaliation.”
The deaths of Dean and Barnett are a reminder of the importance of whistleblowers in our society. Whistleblowers play a vital role in protecting the public from dangerous products and practices. They deserve our support and protection.
IV. Final Thought
The deaths of two Boeing whistleblowers in recent months have raised serious questions about the company’s safety culture and the treatment of employees who speak out about potential problems. Boeing has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its aircraft and the well-being of its employees. The company must take steps to address the concerns that have been raised and to create a more open and transparent environment where employees feel comfortable raising safety concerns without fear of retaliation.