Second Boeing Whistleblower Dies in Mysterious Circumstances, Raising Safety Concerns

A shocking turn of events has left the aviation industry reeling as news emerges of the untimely death of the second Boeing whistleblower. Joshua Dean, a quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, passed away in Wichita, Kan., after battling a sudden and severe infection. Dean had previously raised concerns about manufacturing defects on the Boeing 737 MAX model, an act that ultimately cost him his job at Spirit AeroSystems. This tragic incident marks the second death of a Boeing whistleblower in just two months, following John Barnett's apparent suicide during his deposition against Boeing.

The Seattle Times Report

The Seattle Times reported the tragic news of Dean's passing on May 1, highlighting that he was previously in good health and known for leading a healthy lifestyle before succumbing to the fast-spreading infection. Following his termination from Spirit AeroSystems, Dean filed a complaint with the Department of Labor, alleging retaliation for raising safety concerns. Moreover, he had provided crucial deposition in a Spirit shareholder lawsuit and registered complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the safety of the 737 production line at Spirit.

FAA Investigation and Senate Hearing

The FAA, amidst a turbulent period for Boeing, had launched an investigation into near-miss incidents and claims made by new Boeing whistleblower, Sam Salehpour. Salehpour, an engineer who had worked on the 787 and 777 aircraft, alleged that the planes were improperly fastened together, raising serious concerns about their long-term structural integrity. At the same time, United Airlines reported significant financial losses due to the emergency grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner. These developments prompted a Senate hearing, where aviation safety specialists and former Boeing employees, including Salehpour, testified about the company's alleged negligence with the 787 aircraft and the mistreatment of employees who spoke out.

Timeline of Tragedies and Controversies

• March 2024 - Multiple Boeing incidents, including investigations into mid-flight door plug blowouts and emergency landings, as well as the tragic death of whistleblower John Barnett.
• February 2024 - NTSB report reveals critical findings related to the Alaska Airlines flight incident.
• January 2024 - Grounding of all Max 9 aircraft following a door plug blowout on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.
• December 2023 - Boeing advises airlines to inspect all 737 Max jets for potential loose hardware.
• August 2023 - Supplier quality issue with 737 Max planes surfaces.
• October 2022 - FAA raises concerns about incomplete documents in the certification review of the 737 Max 7.

Years of Turbulence and Investigations

The recent wave of incidents and investigations come after years of scrutiny and legal challenges faced by Boeing. The company paid significant settlements and fines following deadly crashes, and a yearlong FAA-commissioned panel review in 2021 highlighted critical issues with Boeing's safety culture. The report revealed a lack of alignment between executives and safety standards, along with a culture of fear preventing employees from speaking up about safety concerns.

Global Attention and Accountability

The tragic deaths of whistleblowers, ongoing investigations, and a string of aviation incidents have drawn global attention to Boeing's operational and safety challenges. With the aviation industry and regulatory authorities under intense scrutiny, the need for accountability and systemic change within Boeing's corporate culture has become a matter of urgent concern.

As the industry grapples with these unfolding events, the families of the deceased whistleblowers, particularly John Barnett and Joshua Dean, are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones, who courageously stood up for safety and accountability.