Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead One Week After Testifying

Boeing Whistleblower, Found Dead, One Week After Testifying.

BBC reports that a former Boeing employee exposing concerns regarding the aircraft manufacturer's production standards has been found dead in the United States.

In the days before John Barnett's death, the former Boeing employee had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company.

In 2017, Barnett retired from Boeing after working for the company for 32 years.

Following news of his death, Boeing said in a statement that it was saddened to hear of Mr Barnett's passing.

According to the Charleston County coroner, the 62-year-old died from a "self-inflicted" wound on March 9.

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The coroner reportedly added that police are still investigating the death.

In 2019, Barnett told BBC a list of safety concerns from his time working at Boeing.

Those concerns included under-pressure workers using sub-standard parts in aircraft production lines, as well as serious problems with emergency oxygen systems. BBC reports that Barnett's death comes as both Boeing and its key supplier Spirit Aerosystems are under intense scrutiny following a string of recent incidents.

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In January, Boeing's entire 737 MAX fleet was grounded after an unused emergency exit door blew off shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport.

A six-week FAA audit of the company revealed , "multiple instances where the company allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements."