Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead After Raising Concerns About Company's Production Standards

By Giuliano De Leon

Mar 12 2024, 08:38 AM EDT

Boeing whistleblower John Barnett was found dead in the United States after he raised concerns about the plane manufacturer's production standards.

62-year-old John Barnett worked with the American aerospace firm for 32 years until his retirement back in 2017. Two years after his retirement, he decided to talk about Boeing's production standard issues.

However, after uncovering serious problems in Boeing's aircraft components and production operations, he mysteriously died.

Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead

According to BBC News' latest report, the Boeing whistleblower's sudden death was confirmed by the Charleston County coroner on Monday, Mar. 11.

Officials said that John Barnett died on Saturday, Mar. 9. They added that the Boeing whistleblower's body was found dead from a gunshot wound, which they claim to be self-inflicted, as reported by Newsweek.

John Barnett was reportedly giving evidence to win his lawsuit against Boeing a few days before he died. Because of this, numerous speculations about the cause of his death are circulating online.

However, it is important to avoid spreading or believing these rumors since authorities are still investigating the Boeing whistleblower's death.

John Barnett: Who Is He?

Before he retired in 2017, the Boeing whistleblower worked as a quality manager at Boeing's North Charleston plant, which made the 787 Dreamliner in 2010.

However, he decided to start sharing issues with Boeing's production standards. In 2019, he claimed that under pressure, employees had fitted substandard parts to aircraft on the production line.

In addition, he uncovered serious issues with Boeing's oxygen systems. John Barnett claimed that one in four of these breathing masks would not work during emergencies.

"I haven't seen a plane out of Charleston yet that I'd put my name on saying it's safe and airworthy," said the Boeing whistleblower in 2019.

Barnett filed a legal case against Boeing because of his discovered production standard problems. As of writing, it is still unclear what will happen to the lawsuit he filed.