CHARLESTON- A former Boeing employee and whistleblower, recognized for expressing concerns about the company’s production standards, has been found dead in the United States.
John Barnett, who had devoted 32 years to Boeing before retiring in 2017, had recently provided testimony in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company before his passing.
Boeing Whistleblower Dead
Boeing expressed sadness upon learning of Mr. Barnett’s demise. The Charleston County coroner officially confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday.
It was reported that the 62-year-old individual passed away from a “self-inflicted” wound on March 9, with ongoing police investigations.
Mr. Barnett, who had a 32-year tenure with the prominent U.S. aircraft manufacturer until his retirement in 2017 due to health reasons, served as a quality manager at the North Charleston plant responsible for producing the 787 Dreamliner, a cutting-edge airliner predominantly utilized for long-haul flights.
Mr. Barnett Claims
In a 2019 interview with the BBC, Mr. Barnett disclosed that employees under pressure were intentionally installing sub-standard components in aircraft on the production line. Additionally, he highlighted serious concerns about oxygen systems, suggesting that a quarter of breathing masks might fail in an emergency.
Expressing his apprehensions, Mr. Barnett revealed that upon commencing work in South Carolina, he became alarmed by the rush to construct new aircraft, asserting that this accelerated assembly process compromised safety—a claim vehemently denied by the company.
Subsequently, when speaking to the BBC, he revealed that employees had neglected to adhere to procedures designed to monitor components throughout the factory, leading to the disappearance of defective components.
According to Mr. Barnett, in certain instances, sub-standard parts were taken from scrap bins and installed in aircraft under construction to avert delays in the production line.
Moreover, he asserted that tests conducted on emergency oxygen systems meant for the 787 indicated a failure rate of 25%, implying that one in four might not deploy in a real-life emergency.
Despite bringing his concerns to managers’ attention, Mr. Barnett claimed that no corrective measures were implemented. Boeing refuted his allegations; however, a 2017 review by the U.S. regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), did validate some of Mr. Barnett’s apprehensions.
The review disclosed that the whereabouts of at least 53 “non-conforming” parts in the factory were unknown, leading to their classification as lost. Subsequently, Boeing was instructed to take corrective action.
Tragic Death Ahead of Hearing
At the time of his passing, Mr. Barnett had been in Charleston for legal interviews related to the ongoing case. Just last week, he provided a formal deposition, undergoing questioning from Boeing’s lawyers and subsequent cross-examination by his own legal representation.
He was scheduled for further questioning on Saturday, but concerns arose when he failed to appear. His absence prompted inquiries at his hotel, leading to the discovery of his tragic death in his truck at the hotel’s parking lot.
His lawyer, speaking to the BBC, characterized the death as “tragic.” In a statement, Boeing expressed sorrow over Mr. Barnett’s passing, extending condolences to his family and friends.
This unfortunate event occurs amid heightened scrutiny of production standards at Boeing and its major supplier, Spirit AeroSystems. The intensified focus follows an incident in early January, wherein an unused emergency exit door detached from a new Boeing 737 MAX shortly after take-off from Portland International Airport (PDX).
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