John Barnett, a whistleblower who raised concerns about Boeing’s production standards, has been found dead. His death comes during a turbulent time for Boeing, facing investigations into production and safety standards.
John Barnett, a former Boeing whistleblower who had raised concerns about the company’s production standards, was found dead at the age of 62 in the United States. Barnett, who had a 32-year tenure at Boeing, was actively providing evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the aerospace giant at the time of his death. His allegations primarily focused on the use of sub-standard parts in aircraft and significant issues with oxygen systems, problems he identified while working as a quality manager at Boeing’s North Charleston plant. Despite Boeing denying his claims, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) substantiated some of Barnett’s concerns in a 2017 review, which led to ordered remedial measures.
Barnett’s death occurs amidst broader scrutiny of Boeing and its supplier Spirit Aerosystems’ production standards, highlighted by incidents such as an emergency door detaching from a Boeing 737 Max. Recently, the FAA identified Boeing’s non-compliance with manufacturing quality control requirements, further questioning the company’s safety protocols.
Boeing has expressed condolences over Barnett’s passing and affirmed a commitment to safety and quality improvements, amidst ongoing investigations. The circumstances of Barnett’s death are currently under investigation by police.
In the wake of these developments, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has demanded Boeing’s full cooperation with investigations by several government bodies, including the Department of Justice and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), especially after a Boeing 737 Max jetliner incident. The Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation following a panel blowout incident on an Alaska Airlines jet, with Boeing acknowledging gaps in records requested by the NTSB. Buttigieg emphasized the need for Boeing to engage transparently and accountably with the investigative process. The FAA has also taken a critical stance against Boeing, halting any production increases until the company addresses the identified quality-control issues.
