John Barnett, a former long-serving employee of Boeing, whose recent whistleblowing raised concerns about the aircraft manufacturer’s production standards, has been found dead in the United States, according to media reports. The 62-year-old had worked at Boeing for 32 years before retiring in 2017 due to health issues, as reported by the BBC.
Barnett’s death comes amidst his involvement in a whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing, where he had been providing crucial evidence just days before his demise. The Charleston County coroner confirmed Barnett’s passing on Monday, stating that he died from what appeared to be a “self-inflicted” wound on March 9. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Reports suggest that Barnett was found in his truck after failing to attend a legal interview associated with the ongoing case against Boeing, raising suspicions and prompting further scrutiny into the matter.
John Barnett’s tenure at Boeing was significant, having served as a quality manager at the North Charleston plant, responsible for overseeing the production of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft, starting in 2010. The Dreamliner is a modern airliner widely used for long-haul flights.
In 2019, Barnett came forward with alarming revelations to the BBC, asserting that workers, under immense pressure, were installing substandard parts on aircraft during the production process. He also shed light on serious concerns regarding the functionality of oxygen systems, potentially jeopardizing passenger safety, despite Boeing’s assertions to the contrary.
Barnett’s disclosures sparked an intense scrutiny of Boeing’s practices, with his claims corroborated by a 2017 review conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the regulatory body overseeing aviation safety in the United States. Despite this validation, Boeing vehemently disputed Barnett’s allegations, leading him to pursue legal action against the company post-retirement.
His untimely death during the legal proceedings surrounding his case has cast a shadow over the ongoing investigation and has raised questions about the pressures faced by whistleblowers in the aviation industry. Boeing expressed its condolences upon learning of Barnett’s passing, emphasizing its commitment to cooperate with the authorities in the investigation.
