NEW DELHI: Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, passed away at the age of 45 on Tuesday due to a sudden and fast-spreading infection, according to report by the Seattle Times. His death follows closely on the heels of another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, who reportedly died by suicide two months ago.
As per report, Dean’s health deteriorated just over two weeks ago, marked by breathing difficulties.Despite aggressive medical intervention, including the use of an ECMO machine, Dean succumbed after a few days of struggle.
Dean was among the first to raise alarms about Spirit leadership potentially overlooking critical manufacturing flaws in Boeing’s 737 MAX planes. He meticulously documented his findings, including improperly drilled holes in the aft pressure bulkhead, a component crucial for maintaining cabin pressure.
In April 2023, Spirit terminated Dean’s employment, a move he believed was in retaliation for exposing the plane’s flaws.
The timing of Dean’s demise echoes that of Barnett, who took his own life in March while involved in a lawsuit alleging retaliation for disclosing safety concerns related to the 787 Dreamliner.
Former Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour recently testified before lawmakers on Capitol Hill, shedding light on a culture within Boeing that allegedly prioritizes pushing flawed components despite safety risks. Salehpour, with 17 years of Boeing experience, turned whistleblower after facing repercussions for raising safety issues regarding the popular 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft.
While Boeing acknowledged the presence of imperfections, it emphasized ongoing efforts toward improvement. Boeing contested Salehpour’s assertions regarding the Dreamliner’s safety, citing extensive testing purportedly demonstrating no signs of fatigue.
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