A new affair which Boeing would have done without.
In turmoil for several weeks because of the problems that have arisen on its aircraft, the American aircraft manufacturer finds itself this time at the heart of a more macabre affair.
A Boeing employee for thirty-two years before his retirement in 2017, John Barnett was found dead in his vehicle, in the parking lot of a hotel in Charleston (South Carolina) on Saturday March 9, only a few days after having testified against his Former employer.
According to the coroner, the 62-year-old man died from a “self-inflicted” wound, reports the BBC.
For the moment, there is no evidence to suggest a criminal act, but a police investigation is still underway.
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Known for having expressed concerns about safety standards in a factory of the manufacturer in recent years, the man had engaged in legal proceedings against Boeing.
Deliberately installed substandard parts
From 2010, John Barnett served as quality manager at the North Charleston plant, where the 787 Dreamliner, an airliner used primarily on long-haul routes, is manufactured.
In 2019, the then young retiree told the BBC that employees had deliberately installed substandard parts on the production line's planes.
He also revealed that he had discovered serious problems with the emergency oxygenation systems.
He said up to a quarter of systems are faulty and may not work when needed.
He also expressed concern about Boeing's desire to build new planes because he said the assembly process was rushed and safety compromised.
John Barnett also said substandard parts had already been removed from trash and installed on planes under construction to avoid delays on the production line, something Boeing denied.
Despite repeated alerts from the quality manager, no action had been taken, he told the BBC.
He accused Boeing of having slowed down his career
After retiring, the man launched a lawsuit against the company, accusing it of denigrating him and stunting his career after reporting these numerous problems.
More recently, he told TMZ that the green light given to Boeing's 737 Max to fly again so soon after the Alaska Airlines incident in January 2024 was alarming and potentially dangerous.
🚨 Boeing Whistleblower John Barnett Found Suicided, After Testifying in a Lawsuit Against Boeings Safety Issues
Drop a .
If you believe Boeing Assassinated him….
——
John Barnett had worked for Boeing for 32 years, until his retirement in 2017.
Listen to what he says…
• In… pic.twitter.com/iv0EKyY7vy
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) March 12, 2024
At the time of his death, John Barnett was in Charleston undergoing judicial questioning in connection with this case.
After noting his absence, investigators went to his hotel and found him dead in his vehicle in the parking lot.
A death described as “tragic” by his lawyer.
In a statement, Boeing said it was “saddened” by his death.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” added the American company.