Another Boeing whistleblower dies, report claims - died due to rapid spread of infection
Boeing Row: Dean fell ill two weeks ago due to breathing problems. Despite other medical arrangements including an ECMO machine, Dean could not survive. He struggled for a few days before dying. Dean was one of the first to raise concerns over significant manufacturing defects in Boeing's 737 Max planes.
Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, died on Tuesday at the age of 45, a report claims. It has been claimed that a "sudden and rapidly spreading infection" was responsible for Dean's death. This was preceded by the death of another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, who reportedly committed suicide two months earlier.
Dean's breathing issues caused him to become unwell two weeks ago. Dean was unable to survive in spite of additional medical measures, such as the use of an ECMO machine. Before passing away, he struggled for a few days. One of the first people to voice concerns about serious manufacturing flaws in Boeing's 737 Max aircraft was Dean.
Dean was among the first to voice concerns regarding Spirit's leadership's disregard for serious manufacturing flaws in Boeing's 737 Max aircraft. He recorded his findings, pointing out that the aft pressure bulkhead, which is essential to preserving cabin pressure, had holes drilled incorrectly.
Spirit fired Dean in April 2023, believing he was retaliated against for exposing flaws with the plane. According to reports, Dean and Barnett died at approximately the same time. Barnett was embroiled in a lawsuit in retaliation for highlighting safety concerns surrounding the 787 Dreamliner.
