John Barnett, a key whistleblower linked to Boeing, was discovered dead in his truck at a Charleston, South Carolina hotel after a break in deposition proceedings in a lawsuit alleging whistleblower retaliation. His attorney, Brian Knowles, revealed in an email to Corporate Crime Reporter that Barnett was set for the third day of his deposition in Charleston concerning his AIR21 case.
The 62-year-old had retired from Boeing in 2017 after an illustrious 32-year career but had since been outspoken about the company’s alleged safety lapses and wrongdoings. His demise occurred just days before additional legal interviews were slated in connection with a lawsuit against the aerospace giant.
Whistleblower protection provisions under AIR21 play a crucial role in upholding safety standards in the aviation industry. Employees reporting safety issues, security lapses, or violations of federal laws related to aviation safety are shielded under this act, safeguarding them from termination, demotion, or any adverse employment actions stemming from their whistleblowing activities.
“Today is a tragic day,” lamented Knowles. “John had been back and forth for quite some time getting prepared. The defense examined him for their allowed seven hours under the rules on Thursday. I cross examined him all day yesterday (Friday) and did not finish. We agreed to continue this morning at 10 a.m. (co-counsel) Rob (Turkewitz) kept calling this morning, and his (Barnett’s) phone would go to voicemail.”
Only days before this unfortunate event, Barnett had been actively participating, presenting evidence in an ongoing lawsuit against Boeing and expressing his concerns in an interview with TMZ.
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“We then asked the hotel to check on him. They found him in his truck dead from an ‘alleged’ self-inflicted gunshot. We drove to the hotel and spoke with the police and the coroner,” recounted Knowles.
Barnett’s accusations against Boeing were severe. He asserted that the company intentionally installed sub-standard parts in their aircraft and accused it of having faulty oxygen systems, with one in four breathing masks potentially failing in emergencies. His interview raised alarms about safety protocols and quality controls within Boeing, especially concerning the construction and inspection processes of the 737 and 787 aircraft models.
In his final interview, Barnett exposed systemic issues within Boeing, emphasizing that the problems extended beyond the 737 model, indicating a broader company-wide negligence for quality and safety. “One, this is not a 737 problem, it’s a Boeing problem,” Barnett stated. “The reason my concern for that is, back in 2012, Boeing started removing inspection operations off their jobs. So it left the mechanics to buy off their own work.”
Barnett’s allegations also pointed to Boeing’s supplier relationships, highlighting an incident where a visit to Spirit Aerosystems uncovered 300 defects in a section of the airplane. However, upon reporting these defects, he was informed by a senior manager that they had identified too many issues, suggesting a troubling effort to downplay quality concerns rather than addressing them directly.
Barnett had spent numerous years at the facility where Boeing assembles its 787 Dreamliner, a model that has recently made headlines. This Monday, approximately 50 passengers required medical attention following a significant incident on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Australia to New Zealand. The aircraft experienced a technical issue, resulting in a severe jolt that shook passengers in their seats.