The mother of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, who was found dead in his truck after missing a deposition in his lawsuit against Boeing, is blaming the aerospace company as police investigate his death. Barnett claimed he was retaliated against, harassed, and spied on by Boeing. His family believes that if the situation had not gone on for so long, he would still be alive. Despite the coroner’s preliminary assessment of suicide, his family and lawyers are concerned about the circumstances surrounding his death, as Barnett was not the type to back down and had voiced concerns at work meetings despite a hostile environment.
Barnett’s lawyers have demanded a full investigation into his mysterious death mid-deposition. While one of Barnett’s lawyers does not believe Boeing played a role in his death, it is still unclear as to why he would have committed suicide. Police are actively investigating the case and awaiting the cause of death report and any additional findings. A friend of Barnett’s claimed he had told her that if anything happened to him, it would not be suicide. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has announced he will step down at the end of the year, and the company is facing safety concerns after incidents with its 737 Max airplanes.
Boeing whistleblower John Barnett had worked for the company for over three decades before retiring as a quality-control engineer. In 2019, he spoke out about safety concerns with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner jets, alleging a failure rate of 25% in the emergency oxygen systems. Barnett claimed he raised the issue with management, but no action was taken, leading to retaliation from the company. The Federal Aviation Administration reviewed Boeing in 2017, confirming some of Barnett’s allegations and ordering the company to address the issues. Boeing expressed sadness over Barnett’s passing and offered condolences to his family and friends.
Barnett’s family and lawyers are still waiting for answers regarding the circumstances of his death, as they question why he would take his own life. Despite the apparent suicide ruling by the coroner, there are doubts about this conclusion given Barnett’s persistence in raising safety concerns at Boeing. His brother and mother believe that if the situation with Boeing had not gone on for so long, Barnett would still be alive. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter, and his lawyers are demanding a thorough examination to determine the true cause of his death.
Boeing has faced scrutiny over safety concerns with its 737 Max airplanes, leading to executive changes within the company. Barnett had expressed concerns about the safety of Boeing jets, particularly the 737 Max, which had faced issues like door panel blowouts during flights. While his lawsuit against Boeing was unrelated to these safety concerns, the company has come under fire for its handling of safety issues and the treatment of whistleblowers. The aviation industry continues to grapple with safety and quality issues, as heightened scrutiny is placed on companies like Boeing to ensure passenger and crew safety.
As investigations into John Barnett’s death continue, his family and lawyers seek answers about what truly happened. Barnett’s allegations of safety concerns at Boeing had been corroborated by the FAA, leading to orders for the company to address the issues. Barnett’s persistence in speaking out against safety violations at Boeing ultimately led to his lawsuit against the company and alleged retaliation. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised questions about the workplace environment at Boeing and the treatment of whistleblowers, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the aerospace industry. If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help and support.
