Charleston, South Carolina – John Barnett, a Boeing whistleblower, was tragically found dead in his car with a gunshot wound to his head on the same day he was scheduled to testify against the aircraft manufacturer. Barnett’s untimely death comes amidst a tumultuous period for Boeing, marked by a series of alarming incidents that have raised concerns about the company’s safety and quality control measures.
The recent plunge in Boeing’s stock value has been fueled by a string of mishaps, including an incident where a door plug detached from a 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines at 16,000 feet and another where a wheel fell off a 777 jet weeks later. Following these incidents, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation into Boeing’s operations, uncovering “unacceptable” quality control issues.
Barnett’s sudden death has garnered widespread attention, shedding light on previous scandals involving Boeing employees. In 2008, a disgruntled worker admitted to cutting electrical wires on a Chinook military helicopter out of frustration over a job transfer. Similarly, in 2011, twenty-three employees were arrested in a drug bust at a Boeing plant in Pennsylvania for distributing illegal prescription drugs like Oxycontin and fentanyl.
In 2014, Boeing employees raised concerns about drug use among colleagues, with reports of cocaine and meth being used on the job. The company denied these claims, stating that employee drug testing was conducted in accordance with company policy. In a separate incident in 2022, Boeing was implicated in a tragic murder-suicide involving two employees engaged in a love triangle with their supervisor.
Most recently, a FAA audit in 2024 revealed multiple instances of quality control issues in Boeing’s 737 MAX manufacturing processes. The audit faulted the company for various violations, including the use of makeshift tools by mechanics at key suppliers. Boeing has vowed to enhance compliance checks and audits to address these concerns.
As the investigation into John Barnett’s death continues, his lawyers have expressed doubts about the circumstances surrounding his passing. Barnett, known for his integrity and dedication to safety, had voiced concerns about the 787 Dreamliner before his death. Amidst the uncertainty, Barnett’s tragic demise underscores the challenges facing Boeing and the aviation industry as a whole.