Joshua Dean, a whistleblower who identified engineering problems at the company that supplied Boeing with airliner fuselages, passed away after suffering from an infection. He worked at Spirit AeroSystems, which builds the majority of the 737 Max for Boeing, and raised concerns about misdrilled holes on a rear section of the plane in October 2022. Dean’s attorneys confirmed his death and praised his courage for standing up for quality and safety issues within the aviation industry.
Boeing acknowledged the misdrilled holes in August 2023, stating that it was not an immediate safety issue but would require re-inspection and repairs, causing delays in deliveries to airlines. Dean, who had worked at Spirit since 2019, was laid off temporarily during the pandemic and terminated by the company in April 2023. Ongoing investigations by the FAA and NTSB revealed quality control issues at Spirit and potential oversight problems between Boeing and its supplier, prompting talks of Boeing reacquiring Spirit to improve oversight.
Prior to his death, Dean spoke out about being retaliated against for raising quality concerns at Spirit. He filed a safety complaint with the FAA and a complaint with the Department of Labor alleging retaliation. In December, Spirit shareholders filed a lawsuit against the company for failing to disclose quality issues to investors, and Dean provided a deposition in the suit. Dean’s aunt shared that he went to the hospital for breathing issues, developed pneumonia, and succumbed to a bacterial infection weeks later.
Dean’s death follows the apparent suicide of another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, who was a former quality manager for the company. Barnett had raised concerns about the factory that builds the 787 Dreamliner and alleged retaliation from his managers. His family believes his death was at least partly related to the stress and issues he faced at Boeing. Dean’s passing highlights the difficulties whistleblowers face in the aviation industry when they speak up about safety and quality concerns, and the need for companies to prioritize these aspects over other considerations.
Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems are under increased scrutiny for their handling of quality control issues and whistleblower complaints. The industry’s culture and reluctance to address problems internally have led to tragic consequences for those who try to raise awareness and effect change. Both Dean and Barnett’s deaths highlight the challenges whistleblowers face in holding aviation companies accountable for their actions. The ongoing investigations by regulatory bodies and legal proceedings against Spirit demonstrate the gravity of the situation and the need for industry-wide reforms to ensure safety and quality in aircraft manufacturing.
