Another Boeing Whistleblower, Who Raised 'Concerns About 737 MAX Defects', Has Died

Boeing earlier said its leaders are totally committed to the FAA’s order. (AFP/File)

Former Boeing supplier whistleblower who raised concerns about manufacturing defects on the 737 MAX, has died at the age of 45. Dean, previously a quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, died after battling a sudden and fast-spreading infection, The Seattle Times reported.

Joshua Dean, known as Josh lived in Wichita, Kansas, where Spirit AeroSystems is headquartered. Dean was one of the first whistleblowers to allege Spirit leadership had ignored “manufacturing defects” on the 737 MAX, according to US daily. Despite being in good health and known for his healthy lifestyle, he fell critically ill and spent two weeks in critical condition before succumbing to his illness, according to his aunt, Carol Parsons.

His demise comes after a tumultuous period following his termination by Spirit AeroSystems in April 2023. Dean had filed a complaint with the US Department of Labour, alleging his dismissal was in response to raising concerns about aviation safety. Before his tragic death, he had given a deposition in a Spirit shareholder lawsuit, detailing allegations of serious misconduct by senior quality management on the 737 production line.

Dean’s health declined rapidly after he was admitted to the hospital with breathing difficulties. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and a serious bacterial infection known as MRSA. Despite medical interventions, including being placed on an ECMO machine, his condition continued to worsen. He was eventually airlifted to a hospital in Oklahoma City, where he remained in critical condition until his passing.

The circumstances surrounding Dean’s death are similar to those of another Boeing whistleblower, John “Mitch” Barnett, who was found dead in an apparent suicide in March. Barnett, who was giving depositions regarding quality lapses at Boeing’s Charleston facility, had also faced retaliation allegations.

Boeing has been dealing with heightened regulatory scrutiny and other fallout from a midair blowout of a cabin panel door plug on a nearly new 737 MAX 9 in January. The planemaker is carrying the burden of multiple sequential crises from deadly crashes of two 737 MAX jets to the deep slump in travel during the pandemic.

(With agency inputs)