Boeing whistleblower John Barnett discovered lifeless in South Carolina

A former Boeing worker who had been giving proof in a whistleblower lawsuit in opposition to the corporate has been discovered lifeless in South Carolina, authorities mentioned.

The dying of John Barnett, 62, was confirmed by the Charleston County Coroner. The workplace mentioned in a information launch that he died from “what seems to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.” 

Barnett labored at Boeing for 32 years and retired in 2017, the BBC reported. From 2010 to 2017, he labored as a top quality supervisor on the airplane producer’s North Charleston plant. The plant manufactured the 787 Dreamliner, which was the topic of a number of whistleblower complaints. 

Barnett informed the BBC in 2019 that he had uncovered critical issues with oxygen programs on the long-haul jet. Boeing mentioned that it had “recognized some oxygen bottles obtained from the provider that weren’t deploying correctly,” the BBC mentioned, however mentioned that none of these faulty bottles have been ever put in. 

Barnett additionally alleged that sub-standard components that have been set to be discarded have been fitted to planes to keep away from manufacturing delays, the BBC reported, and mentioned that he believed the push to construct new plane meant a rushed course of that compromised passengers’ security. Barnett informed the BBC that he had alerted managers to his considerations, however no motion was taken. A panel of consultants not too long ago criticized Boeing’s security tradition, telling the Federal Aviation Administration that there was a “disconnect” between Boeing’s senior administration and employees, and considerations of retaliation. 

Boeing has denied Barnett’s allegations, the BBC reported. A 2017 evaluate by the Federal Aviation Administration did discover that the situation of not less than 53 “non-conforming” components within the North Charleston manufacturing unit have been unknown, mirroring certainly one of Barnett’s allegations, and ordered the airline to take remedial motion. 

Barnett had accused Boeing of denigrating his character and hampering his profession. The producer has denied these allegations.

Barnett was was in Charleston this week to provide a proper deposition in relation to a defamation lawsuit he had filed in opposition to Boeing, the BBC reported. He was anticipated to seem for additional questioning on Saturday, however failed to seem. He was discovered lifeless in his truck within the lodge’s car parking zone, the BBC mentioned. 

Boeing mentioned in an announcement to CBS Information that they have been “saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing,” and mentioned their “ideas are together with his household and associates.” 

CBS Information has reached out to Barnett’s lawyer, however didn’t get a right away response. 

Boeing has drawn scrutiny for a collection of current incidents. On Monday, not less than 50 individuals have been injured by what officers described as a “sturdy motion” on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touring from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand.

In January, a door plug flew off an Alaska Airways Boeing 737 Max shortly after the airplane took off from Portland, Oregon, forcing an emergency touchdown. A preliminary report from the Nationwide Transportation Security Board advised that 4 key bolts weren’t fitted. The incident is below investigation from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Justice Division. 

Earlier this month, a United Airways flight touring from San Francisco to Japan needed to make an emergency touchdown at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport after the Boeing 777 airplane misplaced a tire shortly after takeoff. In the meantime, an unspecified “upkeep difficulty” pressured one other United Airways flight touring from Australia to San Francisco to return to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport on Monday. That airplane was a Boeing 777-300.