Another “Leaker” of Boeing Production Problems Dies

Joshua Dean died after battling a sudden and rapidly spreading infection.

AFP/DANIEL SLIM

A Boeing 737 plane owned by Alaska Airlines took off from the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, United States, on March 6, 2024.

WICHITA, THURSDAY — Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier company Spirit AeroSystems, has died. Dean is one of the leakers or whistleblowers who exposed and accused Spirit leadership of ignoring production defects in the Boeing 737 MAX series aircraft. Previously, John Barnett, the leaker who revealed production that did not meet safety standards, was also found dead.

Media United States, The Seattle Times, on Wednesday (1/5/2024) local time or Thursday (2/5/2024) Indonesian time, quoting Dean's aunt, Carol Parsons, who told of Dean's death. It was stated that Dean died after battling a sudden and rapidly spreading infection.

According to Parsons, more than two weeks ago, Dean fell ill and was taken to the hospital due to difficulty breathing. At the hospital, Dean was diagnosed with pneumonia and a serious bacterial infection, MRSA. His condition worsened quickly.

Also read: ”Insider”Boeing Production Problems Revealed Found Dead in US

Dean's mother also uploaded a message last Friday on Facebook regarding all these details. He wrote that Dean was “fighting for his life”. Dean is sedated and on dialysis. The results of a CT scan showed he had suffered a stroke.

AP/TED S WARREN

A worker passes by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 being assembled at the Renton factory, Washington, USA, on March 27, 2019.

The news of Dean's sickness and death was truly shocking. Until now, the 45-year-old man had been healthy and was known for having a healthy lifestyle.

"Our thoughts are with Josh Dean's family. This sudden loss is extraordinary news here and for those who loved him," said Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson Joe Buccino.

What he experienced was brutal. Heartbreaking.

Dean is a mechanical engineer. He began working at Spirit in 2019. He was laid off in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He then returned to Spirit in May 2021 as a quality auditor.

In October 2022, during an audit, Dean discovered a serious production defect. The mechanics did not drill the holes properly in the MAX's rear pressure bulkhead. He then reported his findings to management. However, there was no action taken by the management.

Also read: Problems Continue to Spot Boeing Planes

Due to being too focused on that defect, Dean overlooked production defects on the equipment used to attach the vertical tail fin to the aircraft body during the same audit. When the defect was discovered in April 2023 and caused delays in delivery at the Boeing factory in Renton, Dean was fired.

In August 2023, Spirit announced the discovery of a hole that was not properly drilled in the MAX's rear pressure bulkhead. This is a defect in the MAX that occurred in early 2019. This caused deliveries to be halted again in Renton.

EPA-EFE/GARY HE

A Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft is parked at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, United States, July 21, 2019.

With this discovery, Dean complained about Spirit to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding safety. He reported allegations of serious quality violations by senior management on the 737 production line at Spirit.

"After I was fired, Spirit AeroSystems did nothing to inform the FAA and the public about their findings on the damage to the rear pressure bulkhead," wrote Dean in his complaint to the FAA.

In November 2023, the FAA sent a letter to Dean. The letter stated that the FAA had completed the safety investigation that he had reported. Although the investigation results were not included, the letter seemed to confirm the substance of Dean's allegations.

"The investigation has determined that your accusations have been handled appropriately based on the approved FAA safety program. However, due to privacy provisions of the program, specific details cannot be disclosed," reads the letter from the FAA.

AP PHOTO/LINDSEY WASSON

The aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines is parked in the hangar at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Washington, United States, Wednesday (10/1/2024).

Dean also filed a complaint to the Department of Labor in the same month. He lodged a complaint about an invalid termination of employment and "serious violations committed by a senior level Quality Manager at Spirit AeroSystems". The case is still awaiting a decision.

Shareholders also sued Spirit AeroSystems in December 2023. They accused Spirit management of concealing information related to quality defects and harming shareholders. Dean also provided a statement regarding the shareholders' lawsuit.

Also read: Boeing and Safety Commitment

Dean's attorney, Brian Knowles, said his client's death was a loss to the aviation community and society. ”He had extraordinary courage to stand up for what he felt was right and right and raise issues of quality and safety. Airline companies should encourage and incentivize those who raise these concerns. Otherwise, safety and quality are not the main priorities of these companies,” Knowles told Al Jazeera.

NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD VIA AP

The wide gap in the door of an Alaska Airlines plane was seen on January 7, 2024 in Portland, United States. The panel on the door of the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner came loose on January 5, 2024 shortly after takeoff.

Dean's death occurred in less than two months after another Boeing quality whistleblower, John "Mitch" Barnett (62), was found dead in March. South Carolina authorities reported that Barnett died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigation into his death is still ongoing.

Lawyer Barnett is said to be filing a lawsuit against Boeing after experiencing retaliation for disclosing safety issues with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Spirit AeroSystems is currently under close scrutiny following several incidents involving the Boeing 737 Max 9 and other series of aircraft. These incidents have increased concerns about safety standards in Boeing's production.

The cases include the detachment of a door panel on an Alaska Airlines-operated Boeing 737 Max 9 during a flight on January 5, 2024, forcing an emergency landing. Then, a Boeing 737-800 also operated by Alaska Airlines failed to continue its flight to Phoenix after passengers smelled smoke.

Another incident involving a Boeing 787-800 occurred with United Airlines. The aircraft lost one of its panels during the San Francisco-Oregon flight on March 15, 2024. (REUTERS/AFP)