Second Boeing Whistleblower Joshua Dean Dies After Alleging Manufacturing Defects

Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, a supplier for Boeing, has tragically passed away after bravely exposing manufacturing defects in the Boeing 737 Max aircraft. Dean, who filed a formal whistleblower complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration, highlighted serious concerns with the production line.

In 2018 and 2019, the Boeing 737 Max aircraft was involved in two fatal crashes that claimed the lives of 346 individuals, leading to increased scrutiny of the company’s manufacturing practices. Dean was terminated from Spirit last year and alleged that his dismissal was in retaliation for raising safety issues.

Reported by the Seattle Times, Dean’s health deteriorated rapidly after experiencing breathing difficulties. He was hospitalized, intubated, and later developed pneumonia, ultimately succumbing to a severe infection. His passing marks the second Boeing whistleblower death this year, following John 'Mitch' Barnett‘s tragic demise in March.

Carol Dean Parsons, Dean’s aunt, expressed profound grief over his death on Facebook, emphasizing the significant impact of his loss. Dean’s legal representation, including lawyer Brian Knowles, has not commented on any potential connection between Dean’s and Barnett’s deaths.

Sam Salehpour, another whistleblower who recently came forward with alarming disclosures about Boeing, raised concerns about a company culture of dismissing employee warnings. The US authorities are now investigating Boeing following a mid-air incident earlier this year involving a Boeing 737 Max 9, further intensifying the scrutiny on the aerospace giant.

The ongoing investigations and tragic losses underscore the critical role of whistleblowers like Joshua Dean in exposing safety concerns within the aviation industry. Dean’s legacy as a courageous advocate for accountability and transparency in aircraft manufacturing will be remembered by many.