Joshua Dean, 45, who worked as a quality auditor for Spirit AeroSystems (a major supplier to Boeing), has sadly passed away after battling serious health issues for two weeks. Dean had spoken out against manufacturing misconduct he witnessed in the Boeing 737 Max program; these formal complaints were filed with the FAA in 2023 detailing significant safety issues; unfortunately, his career at Spirit came to an abrupt end due to his whistleblowing activities, which he formally filed with them in 2024 via an FAA complaint.
Dean’s health deteriorated rapidly after he developed breathing problems. He was diagnosed with influenza B and MRSA, which led to pneumonia. Despite intensive medical interventions such as dialysis and ECMO machine support, Dean suffered a stroke, which further exacerbated his condition; necrosis caused medical staff to consider amputation because of the necrosis…
Another whistleblower dies
The incident bears striking similarities to that of another Boeing whistleblower, John Barrett, who committed suicide just one day after testifying against the plane maker. Barrett, who was found dead in his car a day after testifying, has become the subject of an investigation. Both whistleblowers were represented by the same law firm — further highlighting the inherent dangers of making allegations of corporate misconduct.
Dean’s attorney, Brian Knowles, noted the lack of direct evidence linking Barrett to Dean’s death, but noted the profound impact it had on their family. Barrett’s death and subsequent passing raise serious concerns about whistleblowing in high-stakes industries and whether whistleblowers can safely make reports without retaliation.
Ongoing safety issues
Dean’s allegations are serious. He reported significant deficiencies in Spirit AeroSystems’ assembly processes, specifically the drilling of holes in the aft pressure bulkhead and the installation of the vertical tail on the Boeing 737 Max fuselage, two components that are critical to the structural integrity and overall safety of the aircraft.
The Boeing 737 Max has come under scrutiny following a series of alarming incidents, such as a door falling off an Alaska Airlines plane mid-air. Those incidents not only damaged public trust in Boeing, but also led to a restructuring at the company, with its chief executive announcing his departure in late 2018.
The important role of whistleblowers
Whistleblowers: Critical Defenders Dean and Barrett’s stories highlight the important role whistleblowers play in uncovering wrongdoing and corruption, and their courage underscores the need for strong whistleblower protections to protect those who risk everything to bring transparency to corporate practices, while also shining a light on the personal cost of maintaining public safety and integrity and guarding against corporate negligence.
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