Two whistleblowers with ties to the aviation industry have died unexpectedly recently, the latest being Joshua Dean, 45, a former quality auditor for Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems. Dean’s death follows the tragic death of John Barnett earlier this year.
Joshua Dean was known for his active lifestyle and overall health, but later died after contracting a severe infection, according to Fox59. Influenza B and MRSA quickly progressed to pneumonia; despite being in critical condition in Oklahoma for two weeks, Dean ultimately passed away, according to The Seattle Times. The tragic loss shocked his community and family — his sister Taylor Rae Roberts took to social media to express her deep sorrow at the loss of such a fascinating brother.
Dean’s Reporting Action
Dean had concerns about serious misconduct by senior quality management on the Spirit AeroSystems 737 production line, brought those concerns to the attention of the FAA, and participated in a shareholder lawsuit against Spirit alleging that Spirit had ongoing quality problems due to an organizational culture that prioritized production numbers over product integrity. In April 2023, Dean was fired by Spirit in what he believed was retaliation for his whistleblowing activities.
Industry Impact
Dean and Barnett’s allegations have had a serious impact on Boeing. Following multiple safety incidents, including an in-flight emergency involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, including one that resulted in an in-flight evacuation and an in-flight emergency response involving another Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) quickly moved to ground all 171 MAX 9 aircraft for an in-depth investigation, resulting in a total net loss of $355 million for all of them in the first quarter of 2024; and, amid the continued turmoil and confusion surrounding these events, CEO Dave Calhoun announced that he would resign at the end of the year.
John Barnett’s Accusation
In addition to Dean, another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, also made shocking allegations before his untimely death in March. Barnett, who worked as a quality control engineer for 32 years before leaving the company in 2017 for health reasons, accused Boeing of using defective parts on its 787 Dreamliners and warned of potential risks to passengers from insufficient oxygen in the event of sudden decompression. His mysterious death in a hotel parking lot further highlighted the dire situation facing Boeing and its suppliers.
Legal and ethical implications
The deaths of these whistleblowers demonstrate the dangerous path individuals must take when trying to expose wrongdoing within powerful industries. Their attorney, Brian Knowles, emphasized the important role whistleblowers play in safeguarding the public interest by exposing misconduct and corruption; the ongoing legal battle may shed further light on the issues raised by Dean and Barnett, but the aviation industry’s safety protocols and manufacturing practices remain at the core of the two companies’ concerns.
These incidents demonstrate the risks faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo, sparking a broader discussion about the protection of whistleblowers and the ethical obligations of large companies when addressing legitimate safety issues. As the aviation industry continues to mourn these revelations, let us hope that they lead to greater oversight and a renewed commitment to safety and transparency.
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