A second whistleblower from Boeing has sadly passed away after voicing concerns about manufacturing defects in 737 Max jets. Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, recently filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding serious issues on the production line.
However, the 45-year-old whistleblower tragically passed away from pneumonia, influenza B, and MRSA infections. It is alarming how his health deteriorated rapidly since he was previously in good health.
Dean had been terminated from Spirit AeroSystems after questioning safety standards, thus raising questions about the consequences of speaking out against safety issues.
He claimed that there were incorrectly drilled holes in jet fuselages and expressed his belief that individuals who made too much noise about safety concerns were often relocated within the company. Dean’s concerns gained attention when he spoke with NPR, revealing how Boeing seemed to be sending a message to silence anyone who dared to speak up.
Brian Knowles, the attorney representing Dean and another deceased whistleblower named John Barnett, emphasized the courage it takes for whistleblowers to uncover wrongdoing. He stated that whistleblowers are essential as they shed light on corruption and misconduct. Dean’s complaints have been included in a shareholder lawsuit against Spirit, accusing the company of failing to disclose defects. However, Spirit has strongly denied these allegations, claiming that the quality of their aircraft is of utmost importance to them.
With the passing of Joshua Dean, concerns about safety standards at Boeing have escalated. Another Boeing engineer, Sam Salehpour, recently highlighted the excessive force used during the assembly of 787 Dreamliner planes, which poses risks of material fatigue and microscopic cracking. Despite these concerns, Boeing insists that their planes are safe and remains fully confident in the 737 Max jets and the 787 Dreamliners.
In the video below, you can learn more about the safety concerns raised by Boeing whistleblowers:
