Joshua Dean, a key whistleblower in the Boeing scandal, tragically passed away at the age of 45 after battling a severe lung infection. Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, raised concerns about manufacturing defects in the 737 Max aircraft, specifically pointing out improperly drilled holes in critical components.
Dean’s health deteriorated rapidly, and despite receiving intensive medical care, including treatment with an ECMO machine, he ultimately succumbed to the illness. His mother had been providing updates on his condition on Facebook, revealing that he had suffered a stroke during his battle for survival.
In 2022, Dean had brought attention to the manufacturing flaws in the 737 Max aircraft and had communicated his concerns to Spirit’s management. When his warnings were disregarded, he took the bold step of lodging a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and provided testimony in a lawsuit brought forth by Spirit’s shareholders.
This tragic loss comes just months after another Boeing whistleblower, John “Mitch” Barnett, also passed away. Barnett, who had worked alongside Dean, had alleged that Boeing retaliated against him for raising concerns about quality lapses. His death was ruled as a suicide, further highlighting the challenges faced by whistleblowers in the aviation industry.
The untimely deaths of these whistleblowers shed light on the risks they take to expose critical issues within the industry, and serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring passenger safety.