In a tragic turn of events last week, a whistleblower embroiled in a legal battle with Boeing has passed away, with initial investigations suggesting a suicide. This individual, who had dedicated over three decades of his life to the aviation giant, found himself at odds with the company, leading to a lawsuit that accused Boeing of retaliating against him for exposing safety oversights.
John Barnett, whose career as a quality manager at Boeing spanned 32 years, was found deceased in Charleston, NC. Local authorities discovered his body in his truck, parked in a hotel lot, with indications pointing to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation, with no immediate signs of foul play.
Brian Knowles, Barnett’s attorney, described his client’s death as “deeply tragic” and expressed skepticism regarding the initial assessment of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Barnett was in the midst of a whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing at the time of his death, alleging that the company had compromised on safety standards in their assembly lines, a claim that he had been vocal about for years.
Barnett’s concerns about Boeing’s practices were not new. He had previously appeared on “TMZ Live” to discuss issues related to the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, including a notable incident in January where a door blew off mid-flight, endangering the lives of passengers as the plane struggled to make an emergency landing.
Despite these alarming incidents, Barnett had voiced his apprehension about the 737 Max being cleared for flight so soon after the Alaska Airlines incident, suggesting that it might still be unsafe. His commitment to raising awareness about these safety issues was unwavering, even as he faced opposition.
Boeing, in response to Barnett’s passing, expressed sorrow over the loss of their former employee. The company’s statement came amidst ongoing depositions related to Barnett’s lawsuit, highlighting the complex and contentious relationship between the whistleblower and the aviation manufacturer.
John Barnett was 62 years old at the time of his passing. His death marks a somber moment, not only for those who knew him personally but also for the broader community concerned with aviation safety and corporate accountability. Rest in peace.