Former Boeing Quality Manager and Whistleblower Found Dead

John Barnett, a former quality manager at Boeing who gained prominence as a whistleblower raising concerns about the planemaker's production line, has been found dead. Officials in Charleston, South Carolina, reported that Barnett died on Saturday from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Charleston police department is currently investigating the circumstances of his death. They stated, "We understand the global attention this case has garnered, and it is our priority to ensure that the investigation is not influenced by speculation but is led by facts and evidence."

Barnett, 62, retired from Boeing in 2017 after nearly three decades with the company. He raised concerns after discovering clusters of metal slivers hanging over flight control wiring on several planes. Barnett said he urged his superiors to address the issue, but instead of addressing the problem, they reassigned him to another part of Boeing's plant in North Charleston.

In 2019, Barnett went public with his concerns after filing a whistleblower complaint with regulators. He was featured in a New York Times story about safety lapses at Boeing's North Charleston site.

Boeing expressed sadness over Barnett's passing, stating, "We are saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Boeing has been dealing with a significant safety crisis following the crashes of two of its 737 Max 8 jets in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people. Recently, a brand-new 737 Max 9 jet experienced a cabin panel blowout during an Alaska Airlines flight, leading to an emergency landing. Regulators grounded 171 Max 9 aircraft for several weeks and continue to inspect Boeing's production line.

Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, has acknowledged the company faces a "serious challenge" to regain the confidence of officials and airlines. However, the company has faced criticism for not providing crucial information to investigators, including details about the door plug that blew off during the Alaska flight and documentation about a repair job involving the panel.