Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, passed away on Tuesday after struggling with a sudden and severe infection. Dean, who had flagged safety concerns and alleged misconduct by the aircraft manufacturer, is the second Boeing-linked whistleblower to have died in the last two months as the company has come under heightened scrutiny.
Dean became unwell slightly more than two weeks ago, experiencing respiratory distress. Despite intensive medical efforts, including the use of an ECMO machine, Dean fought for survival for several days before succumbing to his illness.
Dean was among the initial individuals to highlight concerns regarding Spirit’s leadership potentially overlooking significant manufacturing defects in Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft.
He meticulously recorded his findings, which included improperly drilled holes in the aft pressure bulkhead—a vital element for maintaining cabin pressure.
In April 2023, Spirit terminated Dean’s employment, a move he perceived as reprisal for revealing the aircraft’s defects. The coincidental timing of Dean’s passing bears a striking resemblance to that of Barnett, who tragically took his own life in March while embroiled in a legal battle over alleged retaliation for raising safety issues related to the 787 Dreamliner. These events underscore the immense challenges faced by whistleblowers in the aviation industry.
In a recent congressional hearing, former Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour delivered incriminating testimony, shedding light on a company culture at Boeing that emphasizes the deployment of faulty components, even in the face of safety concerns.
With over 17 years of experience at Boeing, Salehpour bravely exposed these issues and became a whistleblower after facing consequences for raising safety alarms related to the widely used 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft. His actions underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in the aviation industry.
Despite acknowledging the presence of imperfections, Boeing remains confident in the safety of the 787 Dreamliner. The company disputes Salehpour’s assertions about fatigue, pointing to rigorous testing that has revealed no signs of structural wear.
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