Another Boeing whistleblower passes away after contracting 'sudden & fast-spreading infection'

While Boeing continues to navigate through various controversies, another whistleblower who raised alarm about one of the company’s aircraft has passed away.

Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems died on Tuesday morning after losing a battle to a “sudden and fast-spreading infection”. Dean was one of the first Whistleblower who alleged that the Spirit leadership had ignored manufacturing defects on the Boeing aircraft 737 MAX.

According to The Seattle Times, the 45-year-old lived in Wichita, where Spirit is based, and had been in good health before contracting a lung infection. Dean’s aunt Carol Parsons confirmed his death and noted that the whistleblower was in a critical condition for two weeks.

Spirt shares condolences

Meanwhile, Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino said that the company is saddened by the sudden loss. “Our thoughts are with Josh Dean’s family. This sudden loss is stunning news here and for his loved ones.” Buccino told The Seattle Times.

However, it is important to note that the company fired him in April 2023. The former quality auditor gave a deposition in a Spirit shareholder lawsuit and also filed a safety complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In the complaint, he alleged “serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line” at Spirit. After Dean was fired from the company, he went on to file a complaint against the airliner with the Department of Labour.

He accused Spirit of terminating his contract in retaliation for raising concerns related to aviation safety.

What happened? 

Parsons told the media that Dean suddenly fell ill and was hospitalised after he was having trouble breathing. He was eventually intubated and developed pneumonia. The doctors later found that Dean was suffering from a serious bacterial infection.

After his condition started to deteriorate, Dean was airlifted from Wichita to a hospital in Oklahoma City. On Friday his mother posted on Facebook detailing his condition and said that Dean was “fighting for his life”.

He was heavily sedated and put on dialysis and during his final days, doctors considered amputating both his hands and feet. “It was brutal what he went through,” Parsons said. “Heartbreaking.”

Dean’s death came just months after another Boeing whistleblower named John Barnett was found dead. The authorities stated that the 62-year-old died from a “self-inflicted” wound on 9 March.

As per the reports, just days before his demise, Barnett had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit filed against the Boeing.