By Chris Powell – Trending Political News
John Barnett, a former Boeing employee who turned whistleblower, was found dead in his truck in Charleston on Saturday. The 62-year-old had retired in 2017 after a distinguished 32-year career at Boeing but had since been vocal about the company’s alleged safety oversights and malpractices. His death came just days before he was scheduled for further legal interviews in connection with a lawsuit against the aerospace giant.
Barnett’s accusations against Boeing were grave. He claimed the company deliberately installed sub-standard parts in their aircraft and accused it of having faulty oxygen systems, with a shocking one in four breathing masks potentially failing in emergencies. His interview raised serious concerns about the safety protocols and quality controls within Boeing, especially regarding the construction and inspection processes of the 737 and 787 aircraft models.
In an eerie twist, Barnett was found dead from what police describe as a “self-inflicted” wound, sparking speculation and raising questions about the timing and circumstances surrounding his passing. Just days before this tragic event, Barnett had been active, providing evidence in the ongoing lawsuit against Boeing and speaking out in an interview with TMZ about his concerns.
In his last interview, Barnett detailed systemic issues within Boeing, pointing out that the problems were not limited to the 737 model but were indicative of a broader, company-wide disregard 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 extended to Boeing’s supplier relationships, highlighting an instance where a visit to Spirit Aerosystems revealed 300 defects in a section of the airplane. Yet, upon reporting these defects, he was told by a senior manager that they had identified too many issues, suggesting a troubling push towards minimizing the appearance of quality concerns rather than addressing them head-on.
Barnett spent many years working at the facility where Boeing assembles its 787 Dreamliner, a model that has recently been in the news several times. This Monday, about 50 passengers required medical attention from first responders following a significant incident on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Australia to New Zealand. The aircraft encountered a technical issue, resulting in a severe jolt that shook passengers in their seats.
For the 787 Dreamliner, there have been concerns over the years related to its batteries catching fire, issues with the fuselage and wings, and problems with its Rolls-Royce engines. These issues have led to investigations and temporary groundings to address and rectify the safety and operational concerns.
The 737 MAX faced even more significant challenges following two fatal crashes in October 2018 and March 2019, which were linked to a flawed flight control system known as MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System). The global fleet was grounded for nearly two years while Boeing worked on fixes to the software and pilot training procedures. This situation has had a substantial impact on Boeing’s reputation, financial standing, and scrutiny over its design and certification processes.