Boeing Whistleblower John Barnett Found Dead

Subheadline: Former quality manager who raised safety concerns about Boeing planes passed away during a break

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John Barnett, a former quality manager at Boeing who became a prominent whistleblower, was found dead in his home in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 9, 2023. The Charleston County Coroner's Office confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday. Barnett was 62 years old.

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Barnett had worked at Boeing for 32 years before leaving in 2018. During his time there, he raised concerns about the safety of Boeing's planes, including the 737 MAX, which was involved in two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Barnett's concerns were ultimately vindicated, as the 737 MAX was grounded for 20 months following the crashes.

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Barnett's death is being investigated by the Charleston Police Department. The Charleston County Coroner's Office said that an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

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Barnett's death has raised questions about the treatment of whistleblowers in the aviation industry. Some critics have argued that Boeing did not do enough to protect Barnett after he raised concerns about the safety of its planes.