The deaths of two whistleblowers, who had previously raised safety concerns within Boeing and its suppliers, are currently shaking the aviation industry.

Joshua “Josh” Dean, an auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, a Boeing supplier, passed away on April 25, 2024, after falling suddenly ill with influenza, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and pneumonia. He was 45.

Dean’s death came after John Barnett, another whistleblower, died in March 2024 due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 62. Barnett was amidst his retaliation lawsuit against Boeing when he died.

Before his demise, Dean was critically ill for several days and was airlifted from a hospital in Wichita, Kansas to another in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma due to a worsening health condition. He resided in Wichita, Kansas, where Spirit AeroSystems is also located. Known for his healthy lifestyle, his sudden illness was unexpected.

In a joint statement issued to Fox News Digital, attorneys Brian Knowles and Rob Turkewitz expressed that Dean’s death represented a significant loss for the aviation community and the public. “He showed remarkable courage in standing up for what he believed to be true and right,” they conveyed.

In 2023, Dean lost his job at Spirit AeroSystems and filed a retaliation complaint with federal labor officials, alleging he was dismissed for raising safety concerns about Boeing’s 737 MAX planes. 

He specifically pointed out improperly drilled holes in the aircraft’s fuselage. In a shareholder lawsuit against Spirit AeroSystems, Dean revealed defects in the aft pressure bulkhead of the 737 MAX jets. Spirit recognized these defects in August 2023, following Dean’s dismissal.

Dean was one of the first whistleblowers to claim that Spirit AeroSystems’ senior management had ignored manufacturing defects in the 737 MAX. He filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Labor alleging his dismissal was a retaliation for raising safety issues. The FAA investigation concluded that the safety issues were “appropriately addressed under an FAA-approved safety program,” however, the specifics were withheld due to privacy concerns.

John Barnett, a former quality manager at Boeing, had also voiced concerns about safety breaches at Boeing’s North Charleston, South Carolina plant, where he worked on the 787 Dreamliner. 

After serving the company for over three decades, Barnett resigned due to job-related stress. He filed a lawsuit and a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), alleging harassment, spying, and pressure to compromise on safety standards by Boeing managers. OSHA found no reasonable cause to believe Boeing had violated whistleblower laws.

In March 2024, Barnett died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Charleston, South Carolina. His lawyers reported that he found the deposition process and ongoing litigation challenging.

Barnett’s family continues to pursue the lawsuit for “justice and accountability.” They believe Boeing’s alleged retaliation played a significant role in his deteriorating mental health. Brian Knowles, Barnett’s attorney who also represents Dean, emphasized that both whistleblowers stood up for what they believed was right. “Aviation companies should encourage and incentivize those who raise these concerns,” Knowles stated to the press. “Otherwise, safety and quality are truly not these companies’ top priorities.”

The two whistleblowers’ deaths occurred at a time when Boeing is facing intense scrutiny over its safety practices, particularly related to its 737 MAX program. The model was grounded worldwide in 2019 after two crashes that killed 346 people. Even though the planes have returned to service, Boeing is still struggling to restore public trust and resolve ongoing quality control problems.

Dave Calhoun, Boeing CEO, recently announced his plans to step down at the end of the year. The company is considering acquiring Spirit AeroSystems to enhance its manufacturing quality and has committed to advancing $425 million to Spirit to address its safety issues.

The aviation community mourns the loss of Dean and Barnett while advocating for stronger protections and incentives for whistleblowers. Their stories underscore the challenges and risks faced by whistleblowers when confronting large corporations.