Boeing’s troubles continue to mount as the company faces Congressional scrutiny and the mysterious deaths of two whistleblowers. Joshua Dean and John Barnett, who raised concerns about safety issues with the 737 Max aircraft, were found dead under suspicious circumstances earlier this year. Their lawyers now fear that up to ten more Boeing whistleblowers could be silenced or face similar fates.
Dean, an employee of Spirit AeroSystems, a major sub-contractor for the 737 Max, raised alarms in 2022 about incorrectly drilled bulkhead holes in the aircraft. Barnett, a production-quality manager at Boeing, testified about safety concerns before his untimely demise.
Boeing has released statements encouraging employees to speak up, but critics question the company’s commitment to safety and allege a culture of retaliation. The company’s recent announcement of a $355 million loss in the first quarter and the resignation of CEO Dave Calhoun further indicate the ongoing crisis within Boeing.
Ed Pierson, a former senior manager at Boeing’s 737 factory, alleges that the company is ‘unstable’ and resistant to admitting fault. A House report released in 2020 attributed the 737 Max disasters, which claimed the lives of 346 people, to ‘repeated and serious failures’ by Boeing and air safety regulators.
The deaths of Dean and Barnett have raised serious concerns about the safety of Boeing’s aircraft and the protection of whistleblowers within the company. As investigations continue and Congressional probes intensify, Boeing’s troubles are far from over.
