The headquarters for The Boeing Company is seen in Arlington, Virginia.Photo:Samuel Corum/Getty Images
Samuel Corum/Getty Images
John Barnett, a former quality control manager for Boeing, has been found dead.
Barnett, who spent about three decades working for Boeing until his retirement in 2017, was in Charleston for legal proceedings in connection with a whistleblower lawsuit against the company, according to theBBCandTime.
“John was a brave, honest man of the highest integrity. He cared dearly about his family, his friends, the Boeing company, his Boeing co-workers, and the pilots and people who flew on Boeing aircraft. We have rarely met someone with a more sincere and forthright character,” his lawyers said.
“Given the sensitive nature of the investigation, we are unable to participate in media interviews at this time,” Gibson said in a statement on Tuesday. “This stance is not unique to this case but is a standard procedure we adhere to in order to preserve the integrity of active investigations.”
The headquarters for The Boeing Company is seen in Arlington, Virginia.Celal Gunes / Anadolu Agency/Getty
Celal Gunes / Anadolu Agency/Getty
In January 2017, Barnett filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration accusing Boeing of retaliating against him, according toThe Washington Post. The agency later determined there was no retaliation, but Barnett appealed the decision.
In a 2019 interview with theBBC, Barnett claimed employees were under pressure to intentionally fit aircraft with substandard parts on the production line.
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Barnett also told the BBC about his concerns with the oxygen systems on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners, alleging that one in four breathing masks would not work in the event of an emergency.
In a statement, Barnett’s family said he experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, claiming that the “hostile work environment at Boeing” led to his death, reportedNBC News.
“John told us that every day was a battle to get management to do the right thing,” the family statement read. “He was looking forward to having his day in court and hoped that it would force Boeing to change its culture.”
News of his death came as Boeing has come under renewed scrutiny after a number of public incidents.
Additionally, 50 people were injured on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner when asudden mid-air movement caused the plane to suddenly dropon Monday.
source: people.com
