(Rightallegiance.com) – The aviation industry faces renewed scrutiny as Boeing, a titan in the field, grapples with allegations of retaliation and safety lapses following the sudden deaths of two whistleblowers. The latest, Joshua Dean, a former quality inspector for Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, succumbed to a severe infection this week, intensifying concerns over the safety practices at Boeing.
Joshua Dean, 44, battled a critical Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection that overwhelmed his system, leaving him in dire condition for days before his death. His aunt, Carol Parsons, revealed to the Seattle Times that MRSA, a formidable antibiotic-resistant infection, was the cause of his demise.
Dean had recently lost his job in 2023 and had filed a retaliation complaint with federal labor officials. His claim stated that his dismissal was due to his outspoken concerns on safety issues.
Dean had been actively involved in legal proceedings related to Boeing, having been deposed in connection with a shareholder lawsuit. He had identified and reported significant faults in components of Boeing’s 737 MAX plane, a model notoriously linked to several fatal incidents in recent years.
His family disclosed in a somber Facebook post that doctors had given him a “50/50 chance of living” as the infection had completely taken over his lungs. In the days leading up to his death, there was consideration for amputation of his hands and feet, but his weakened state made surgery impossible.
In response to Dean’s passing, his attorneys, Brian Knowles and Rob Turkewitz, expressed their condolences, noting his bravery in standing up for safety and quality in aviation. “Josh’s passing is a profound loss to the aviation community and the flying public,” they stated to Fox News Digital.
This tragedy mirrors the circumstances surrounding the death of another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, who was found deceased from a gunshot wound under mysterious circumstances outside his hotel. Just a day prior, Barnett had given a deposition in his own retaliation lawsuit against Boeing. He had been a vocal critic of the company, alleging retaliation, harassment, and surveillance after he raised concerns about safety flaws. Notably, Barnett had warned about the rapid reintroduction of Boeing’s 737 Max 9 jets to service, particularly after a door panel incident on an Alaska Airlines flight.
Boeing has faced persistent challenges related to its 737 Max airplanes, with multiple executives, including CEO Dave Calhoun and the head of the 737 Max program, announcing their departures in the wake of these issues. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had previously confirmed some of Barnett’s claims in a 2017 review, prompting directives for Boeing to address the identified safety concerns.
The deaths of Dean and Barnett raise critical questions about the culture of safety and accountability within Boeing. Their attorneys and families have called for a deeper commitment to transparency and protection for those who bring safety issues to light. “Aviation companies should encourage and incentivize those that do raise these concerns,” Dean’s lawyers emphasized. “Otherwise, safety and quality are truly not these companies’ top priorities.”
As the aviation community mourns the loss of Joshua Dean and reflects on the circumstances of John Barnett’s death, the spotlight intensifies on Boeing’s practices and the broader implications for safety standards in the industry. The call for a more robust protective mechanism for whistleblowers has never been more urgent, as these cases starkly highlight the potential personal costs of advocacy for safety.