Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead in South Carolina
Former Quality Manager Raised Concerns About 787 Manufacturing Practices
John Barnett Was Testifying in Whistleblower Case Against Boeing
A former Boeing employee who raised concerns about the firm's production standards has been found dead in the US. John Barnett, the 62-year-old Boeing whistleblower who discovered dead with a gunshot wound in South Carolina Saturday, had previously told a family member he feared for his life.
Barnett had been in Charleston, South Carolina, giving testimony in his whistleblower case against the embattled aerospace giant. In March 2024, after he failed to report for his third day of deposition, he was found dead of a gunshot wound. The Charleston County coroner described the wound as "a contact gunshot wound to the head." No foul play is suspected.
Barnett, a former quality manager, raised concerns about manufacturing practices at Boeing's South Carolina plant, where the company's 787 Dreamliner aircraft is assembled. He alleged that Boeing was cutting corners and failing to follow proper safety protocols, which he said could put passengers at risk.
Boeing has denied Barnett's allegations and said that the 787 is a safe aircraft. The company has also said that it is cooperating with the investigation into Barnett's death.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also investigating Barnett's death. The NTSB said it is too early to say whether Barnett's death is related to his work as a whistleblower.
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