Houston, TX – Boeing, the aviation giant, has been under scrutiny after a series of incidents involving their planes from January 2024 to May 2024. These incidents include a door plug falling off a Boeing 737 Max 9 mid-flight, a gear collapse causing a 737 Max 8 to slide down a runway, and a wheel falling off a Boeing 777-200. These issues have raised serious concerns about the safety and reliability of Boeing aircraft.
The troubles for Boeing do not stop there. In January 2021, the Department of Justice charged Boeing with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Since then, 32 whistleblowers have come forward with complaints about the company, with two of them tragically passing away. The whistleblowers have shed light on various issues within the company, creating a cloud of controversy around Boeing’s operations.
The first whistleblower, John Barnett, retired from Boeing in 2017 after a long career as a quality control manager overseeing the building of the 787 Dreamliner. Barnett raised concerns about faulty parts being fitted to planes on the production line and defective oxygen systems. Despite bringing these issues to management’s attention, Barnett faced resistance from Boeing. After pursuing legal action against the company, Barnett was found dead in his truck from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Another whistleblower, Joshua Dean, also faced repercussions after flagging concerns about improperly drilled holes in fuselages. Dean, who was fired from Boeing in 2023, passed away a year later after falling critically ill with a MRSA bacterial infection. Both Barnett and Dean were represented by lawyer Brian Knowles, who emphasized the importance of encouraging and incentivizing individuals to raise concerns within aviation companies.
The deaths of these whistleblowers have sparked further questions about the culture and practices within Boeing. As investigations continue and more whistleblowers come forward, the aviation industry is faced with the challenge of ensuring transparency, accountability, and safety in the manufacturing and operation of aircraft.