KUALA LUMPUR – A former Boeing employee known for expressing concerns about the company’s production standards, has been found dead in the United States.
John Barnett, who served at Boeing for 32 years and retired in 2017, had been a vocal critic of the company’s manufacturing practices.
Barnett had been providing testimony in a whistleblower suit against the aerospace giant in the days leading up to his death, the BBC reported.
Boeing expressed sadness at the news of Barnett’s passing, confirmed by the Charleston County coroner on Monday as a result of a “self-inflicted” wound on March 9.
The police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Barnett, who worked as a quality manager at the North Charleston plant responsible for manufacturing the 787 Dreamliner in 2010, had previously disclosed concerns to the BBC in 2019.
He alleged that workers under pressure were intentionally using sub-standard parts in aircraft production and revealed serious issues with oxygen systems, potentially compromising emergency breathing masks.
His assertions included claims of rushed assembly processes and compromised safety due to the push to meet production targets, a stance vehemently denied by the company.
Barnett also contended that defective components went missing as workers failed to follow proper tracking procedures in the factory, allowing sub-standard parts to be fitted to planes to avoid production delays.
Despite Boeing’s denial of his allegations, a 2017 review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged some of Barnett’s concerns, leading to corrective actions being imposed on Boeing.
After retirement, Barnett pursued legal action against Boeing, accusing the company of damaging his reputation and hindering his career in response to his raised concerns. Boeing rejected these charges.
Barnett’s death occurred during legal interviews in Charleston related to his ongoing case against Boeing. He had recently given a formal deposition and was due for further questioning, but his absence led to the discovery of his body in his truck at a hotel parking lot.
Boeing expressed condolences, stating: “We are saddened by Mr Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
This incident comes at a critical time when both Boeing and its key supplier, Spirit Aerosystems, are facing heightened scrutiny over production standards following a January incident involving an emergency exit door detaching from a Boeing 737 Max shortly after take-off.
FAA’s recent audit found multiple instances where Boeing allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.
On February 22, Boeing terminated executive Ed Clark, who also served as the chairman of the company’s 737 Max aircraft programme, following an incident involving the detachment of a door panel from an Alaska Airlines plane last month.
Clark, instrumental in reviving the production of the 737 Max aircraft after the receding impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, was immediately relieved of his duties after nearly 18 years of service with Boeing.
Katie Ringgold has taken over from Clark as vice president and general manager of the 737 programme at Boeing’s facility near Renton, Washington.
Boeing has also announced several executive changes within the company, appointing Elizabeth Lund as senior vice president for Quality at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
She will also serve on the company’s executive committee as the chair of the quality operations council.
The 737 Max model is Boeing’s best-selling aircraft, but it has faced repeated issues since five years ago. It began with a 20-month flight suspension of the aircraft, which had previously been involved in two harrowing crash incidents.
Most recently, the door panel of an Alaska Airlines-operated 737 Max became detached while flying in Oregon airspace.
Initial reports by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that four bolts that should have been installed on the door panel were missing when the aircraft left the Boeing factory.
Previously, Boeing acknowledged in a statement that it appreciates the NTSB’s efforts and will promptly review the findings while continuing the investigation in collaboration with the relevant agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration. – March 12, 2024