John Barnett, a former quality manager at Boeing’s manufacturing facility in North Charleston, who had been raising concerns about the safety and quality control of the aircraft manufacturer’s planes, was found dead on Saturday. The county coroner’s office confirmed that Barnett died from a self-inflicted wound while staying at a hotel in Charleston, where he was set to depose against his former employer in an ongoing lawsuit.
Barnett’s Allegations Against Boeing
Barnett, who worked at Boeing for over three decades before retiring on health grounds in 2017, had previously revealed that factory workers were under pressure to fit sub-standard parts on aircraft production lines deliberately. He claimed that workers failed to follow procedures for tracking components, allowing defective parts to go missing and, in some instances, be retrieved from scrap bins and fitted onto planes to meet production deadlines.
According to Barnett, oxygen systems fitted on the 787 Boeing long-haul aircraft were defective 25% of the time, posing a significant safety risk in emergencies. He had raised his concerns with his managers at Boeing, but his allegations were met with denials from the company.
Legal Battle and Deposition
Since his retirement, Barnett had been engaged in a legal battle with Boeing, alleging that the company had denigrated his character and hampered his career. Last week, the former employee gave a formal deposition and was questioned by Boeing’s lawyers in Charleston.
Barnett was scheduled for further questioning on Saturday but failed to appear in court. Inquiries led to the discovery of his body in his truck at the hotel’s car park, where the coroner’s office determined he had died from a self-inflicted wound on March 9.
Boeing’s Safety Record Under Scrutiny
Barnett’s death comes at a time when Boeing is once again facing scrutiny over its production standards and safety record. Earlier this year, an emergency door blew off a 737 Max shortly after takeoff, and an engine fire forced another Boeing aircraft to make an emergency landing. On Monday, a Boeing flight from Australia to New Zealand experienced “strong movement” due to a “technical event,” resulting in minor injuries to several passengers.
While Boeing expressed sadness over Barnett’s passing, the tragic end for the whistleblower who raised safety concerns has evoked strong reactions on social media, further fueling the debate surrounding the aircraft manufacturer’s practices.
