John Barnett died by suicide on March 9, 2024, in South Carolina while taking a break from depositions for his legal battle with Boeing.
Barnett’s death has highlighted Boeing’s ongoing safety and quality control issues.
Who was John Barnett?
John Barnett worked at Boeing for 30+ years until retiring in 2017. He was a quality manager at a South Carolina factory.
Barnett spoke out about the company’s production standards and safety issues on the aircraft line. His concerns were ignored by his supervisors and he was transferred to a different part of the plant.
Barnett filed a complaint and lawsuit against Boeing, claiming they damaged his career and reputation. He was set to testify in a case against Boeing before he died.
What do we know about his death?
John Barnett died in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina. The coroner’s office ruled it a suicide by gunshot.
Barnett died during a break in his deposition for a legal dispute with Boeing. He was supposed to answer questions but didn’t show up, so his lawyers went to check on him. Police are still investigating the cause of death.
Barnett’s death occurred while he was involved in a lawsuit against Boeing, where he had been reporting safety issues with their aircraft production.
His death has highlighted Boeing’s ongoing safety and quality control issues.
What happened to John Barnett?
John Barnett was found dead in his truck at a hotel parking lot in South Carolina. The coroner’s office believes he died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
Barnett died during a break in his legal dispute with Boeing. He was supposed to answer questions but didn’t show up, so his lawyers went to check on him. Police are still investigating.
What were his safety concerns?
John Barnett found major issues in Boeing’s aircraft production and believed the company was more concerned with making money than ensuring safety.
Safety concerns he raised:
- Cutting corners in production.
- Using low-quality parts.
- Problems with oxygen systems.
- Sharp metal shavings near flight control wiring.
Barnett is worried that metal shavings could damage the wiring connecting the flight controls, posing a safety risk for the aircraft.
What impact did Barnett have on Boeing?
John Barnett’s whistleblowing at Boeing raised concerns about safety and production standards.
He claimed Boeing valued money more than safety and hid problems. Barnett’s actions led to investigations into the company’s practices.
Barnett’s whistleblowing caused legal disputes with Boeing. He filed a complaint and lawsuit, alleging retaliation and damage to his career and reputation. The case was ongoing until his death.
Barnett’s actions are still affecting Boeing and the extent of his influence is not yet fully understood. Ongoing investigations and legal proceedings are revealing more about the company’s practices and safety standards.
What issues have been found with Boeing’s Dreamliner production?
Several problems with Boeing’s Dreamliner production have been uncovered. Here are some key issues:
Engine Anti-Ice Systems: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flagged safety issues related to the engine anti-ice systems on both the Boeing 737 Max and the larger 787 Dreamliner. Boeing is working on redesigning the part on the Dreamliner engine to prevent further issues. The FAA orders related to these issues have not yet taken effect, but they would apply to approximately 315 planes, including both the Max and the Dreamliner.
Manufacturing Defects: A new production problem was discovered on the Dreamliner, causing further delays in deliveries. It is likely to impact the production timeline and stock performance of Boeing.
Shoddy Production and Quality Issues: There have been claims of defective manufacturing, debris left on planes, and pressure on workers to not report violations at a Dreamliner plant in South Carolina. While there is no evidence of major safety incidents resulting from these issues, they raise concerns about the quality control and safety of the aircraft.
Safety Compromises: Former Boeing quality manager John Barnett has raised concerns about the safety of Dreamliners produced at the company’s North Charleston factory. He considers none of the planes that left the factory airworthy.
FAA Review of Lapses: Production problems at a Dreamliner factory prompted the FAA to review quality-control lapses potentially stretching back almost a decade. Boeing acknowledged that certain parts produced at its South Carolina facilities failed to meet its own design and manufacturing standards.
Conclusion
John Barnett was a former Boeing employee who raised concerns about safety breaches and production standards at the company. He alleged that his concerns were ignored and that he faced retaliation from Boeing. His death occurred during a legal dispute with the company, and the circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation.
Source –
https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2024/03/12/boeing-whistleblower-dead-john-barnett/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2024/03/12/john-barnett-boeing-whistleblower/72940656007/
https://www.newsweek.com/john-barnett-boeing-whistleblower-dead-latest-today-1878188
https://time.com/6900123/boeing-whistleblower-john-barnett-found-dead-deposition-safety/
https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/01/business/faa-boeing-737-max-787-dreamliner-safety-issues/index.html
https://www.wsj.com/articles/boeing-faces-new-dreamliner-production-problem-11626142306
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/20/business/boeing-dreamliner-production-problems.html
