Mystery surrounds the recent death of Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor for Spirit AeroSystems.
NBC News reported that Joshua Dean, who raised safety issues in Boeing 737 MAX's manufacturing, died under enigmatic conditions.
Joshua Dean, aged 45, from Wichita, Kansas, faced a swift and severe illness encompassing flu, pneumonia, and MRSA, leading to his demise. Concerns about the quick progression of his sickness prompted his family to request an autopsy. Struggling with health for just two weeks, he required ventilator support due to extensive breathing difficulties.
Previously, Joshua Dean had highlighted significant safety concerns, specifically mentioning misdrilled holes that could compromise the structural integrity of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. After his revelations became public, he claimed Spirit AeroSystems ended his employment on April 26, 2023, seemingly in retribution for his whistleblowing actions.
Before the whistleblower, another Boeing employee, John Barnett, met a tragic demise. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot and had similarly voiced grave concerns about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s safety failures.
According to attorney Robert Turkewitz, the deceased’s quick deterioration in health was unpredictable given his lifestyle. "He was a healthy individual who ate well and exercised. So it just seems odd that he went so fast,” Turkewitz remarked. He further added the stress possibly exacerbated by the whistleblowing could have weakened Dean’s immune system, making him vulnerable to such severe infections.
Attorneys Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, who represented both whistleblowers, are now surrounded by a sorrowful aviation community and pursuing the court case vigorously.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Josh and his family. Josh’s passing is a loss to the aviation community and the flying public. He possessed tremendous courage to stand up for what he felt was true and right and raised quality and safety issues,” mentioned Knowles.
Spirit AeroSystems has robustly denied accusations lodged by Dean and is currently defending these claims in court. Joe Buccino, a spokesperson for Spirit, mentioned, "Our thoughts are with Josh Dean’s family. This sudden loss is stunning news here at Spirit and for his loved ones."
While Joshua Dean's allegations had not been resolved at the time of his death, his bold statements during his employment painted a chilling picture of the consequences faced by dissenting voices in the organization.
Joshua Dean had once voiced a stark warning, "I think they were sending out a message to anybody else. If you are too loud, we will silence you."
Following the occurrences that led to the untimely deaths of two Boeing whistleblowers, the aviation industry is treading cautiously, facing scrutiny over its treatment of employees who bring forward safety concerns.
For everyone involved, the story is a grim reminder of the potential repercussions for whistleblowers and the critical importance of their role in safeguarding public safety. While the legal battles continue, Joshua Dean's memory and advocacy for safety remains crucial. The aviation world now watches closely, hoping for transparency and justice in the wake of such loss.
