Boeing whistleblower found dead
Barnett’s death is being investigated by authorities
A former Boeing employee who had raised concerns about the company’s production standards was found dead in his truck in the parking lot of the Charleston County Coroner’s Office.
John Barnett, 63, was a former quality control manager at Boeing. He had raised concerns about the company’s production standards to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and to Boeing management. Barnett was reportedly found dead in his truck in the parking lot of the Charleston County Coroner’s Office on March 28, 2024.
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office told TIME that Barnett died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation into Barnett’s death is ongoing.
Barnett’s death comes as Boeing is facing scrutiny over the safety of its 737 Max aircraft.
The 737 Max was involved in two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed a total of 346 people. The FAA grounded the 737 Max in March 2019, and the aircraft has not yet been cleared to fly again.
Barnett’s concerns about Boeing’s production standards centered on the 737 Max. He had reportedly raised concerns about the plane’s flight control system, which was implicated in both fatal crashes.
Barnett’s death is a tragedy, and it raises questions about the safety of Boeing’s aircraft.
The FAA is currently investigating Barnett’s death, and it is unclear whether his concerns about Boeing’s production standards played a role in his death.
However, Barnett’s death is a reminder of the importance of whistleblowers in protecting the public safety. Whistleblowers often face retaliation from their employers, and it is important to ensure that they are protected.
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