A former long-term employee of Boeing, John Barnett, has been discovered deceased in the United States.
Barnett, who had spent 32 years at Boeing until his retirement in 2017, was found dead after providing testimony in a lawsuit against the company.
According to reports, Barnett, aged 62, passed away from what authorities describe as a “self-inflicted” wound on March 9.
The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation by law enforcement.
Barnett had served as a quality manager at Boeing’s North Charleston plant, tasked with overseeing the production of the 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
In his tenure, Barnett had raised significant concerns regarding the quality and safety standards within Boeing’s operations.
In an interview with the BBC in 2019, Barnett revealed alarming practices within the production line, alleging that workers were under pressure to install substandard parts in aircraft.
He also highlighted critical issues with oxygen systems, indicating that a quarter of the emergency masks might fail during an actual emergency.
Despite bringing these concerns to the attention of Boeing’s management, Barnett claimed that no action was taken to address the issues.
Boeing, however, denied his allegations, although a subsequent review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) partially substantiated Barnett’s claims, leading to directives for corrective measures.
Following his retirement, Barnett initiated legal action against Boeing, alleging defamation and obstruction of his career advancement due to his whistleblowing activities.
His death occurred during legal proceedings related to this case, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Boeing expressed condolences, stating, “We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Barnett’s demise adds to the ongoing scrutiny of production standards within Boeing and its suppliers, particularly in light of recent incidents such as the detachment of an emergency exit door from a Boeing 737 Max aircraft due to alleged manufacturing lapses.
The FAA’s recent audit revealed numerous instances where Boeing purportedly failed to adhere to quality control standards, further intensifying concerns about the company’s manufacturing processes and safety protocols.
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