Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead Amid 787 Safety Claims Deposition

John Barnett, a former Boeing whistleblower, was found dead on March 9, 2024, in Charleston, South Carolina. The local coroner's office reported the cause as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Barnett's death occurred while he was in Charleston for a deposition in a long-running whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against the aircraft manufacturer.

Barnett, a quality control engineer who worked for Boeing for 32 years, retired in 2017. He had become a prominent figure by voicing serious concerns about production standards. His allegations focused primarily on the assembly of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the North Charleston facility.

Safety Concerns on the 787 Dreamliner

Barnett's claims highlighted several critical safety lapses. He alleged that employees were under pressure to ignore defects. This was reportedly done to speed up the production line.

One major claim involved the 787's emergency oxygen systems. Barnett stated that tests showed up to 25% of the oxygen bottles might not deploy. Failure of these systems could be catastrophic in a sudden decompression event. He also claimed to have seen metal shavings near flight control wiring. Such debris could potentially cause severe electrical damage.

Boeing responded to the claims by stating they had removed defective oxygen bottles. The company also said that all installed oxygen systems are tested multiple times.

Whistleblower Lawsuit and Regulatory Action

Barnett filed formal complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2017. The FAA later confirmed certain issues he had highlighted. This resulted in the FAA ordering remedial actions from Boeing regarding non-conforming parts.

At the time of his death, Barnett was giving evidence in a lawsuit against Boeing. The suit alleged that the company retaliated against him for raising his safety concerns. His attorneys expressed shock, noting he was in good spirits. They urged a full and accurate investigation into his death. Boeing issued a statement saying they were saddened by his passing. The company continues to deny any wrongdoing in the retaliation case. The investigation concluded Barnett died by suicide. The police report cited a period of serious personal distress.

Industry Impact and Safety Culture Scrutiny

Barnett’s death adds to the intense scrutiny on Boeing's production quality. The company has faced increased pressure over its safety culture. This follows multiple recent high-profile incidents involving its aircraft.

• The incident highlights the challenges faced by whistleblowers in the aviation industry.
• It renews focus on the balance between production speed and quality control.
• Aviation stakeholders and passengers worldwide are watching. They expect manufacturers to prioritize absolute safety above all else.

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