Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, passed away at the age of 45 on Tuesday due to a sudden and rapidly spreading infection, as reported. His demise comes shortly after another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, reportedly died by suicide two months prior.

Dean's health deteriorated just over two weeks ago when he experienced breathing difficulties. Despite receiving aggressive medical treatment, including assistance from an ECMO machine, Dean's condition worsened over a few days, ultimately leading to his passing.

Dean was among the first individuals to voice concerns about potential oversight by Spirit AeroSystems' leadership regarding critical manufacturing flaws in Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft. He meticulously documented his observations, highlighting issues like improperly drilled holes in the aft pressure bulkhead, a vital element for cabin pressure maintenance.

Spirit terminated Dean's employment in April 2023, a move he believed was retaliatory for exposing the aircraft's flaws.

The timing of Dean's death mirrors that of Barnett, who took his own life in March amidst legal proceedings alleging retaliation for bringing forward safety concerns regarding the 787 Dreamliner.

In recent developments, former Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testified before lawmakers on Capitol Hill, shedding light on a culture within Boeing that prioritizes pushing flawed components despite safety risks. Salehpour, with 17 years of Boeing experience, became a whistleblower after facing repercussions for raising safety concerns about the popular 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft.

Boeing acknowledged the existence of imperfections but assured ongoing efforts toward improvement. The company refuted Salehpour's assertions regarding the Dreamliner's safety, citing extensive testing that purportedly shows no signs of fatigue. These incidents underscore ongoing challenges within the aerospace industry, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing safety concerns and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.

Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, passed away at the age of 45 on Tuesday due to a sudden and rapidly spreading infection, as reported. His demise comes shortly after another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, reportedly died by suicide two months prior.

Dean's health deteriorated just over two weeks ago when he experienced breathing difficulties. Despite receiving aggressive medical treatment, including assistance from an ECMO machine, Dean's condition worsened over a few days, ultimately leading to his passing.

Dean was among the first individuals to voice concerns about potential oversight by Spirit AeroSystems' leadership regarding critical manufacturing flaws in Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft. He meticulously documented his observations, highlighting issues like improperly drilled holes in the aft pressure bulkhead, a vital element for cabin pressure maintenance.

Spirit terminated Dean's employment in April 2023, a move he believed was retaliatory for exposing the aircraft's flaws.

The timing of Dean's death mirrors that of Barnett, who took his own life in March amidst legal proceedings alleging retaliation for bringing forward safety concerns regarding the 787 Dreamliner.

In recent developments, former Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testified before lawmakers on Capitol Hill, shedding light on a culture within Boeing that prioritizes pushing flawed components despite safety risks. Salehpour, with 17 years of Boeing experience, became a whistleblower after facing repercussions for raising safety concerns about the popular 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft.

Boeing acknowledged the existence of imperfections but assured ongoing efforts toward improvement. The company refuted Salehpour's assertions regarding the Dreamliner's safety, citing extensive testing that purportedly shows no signs of fatigue. These incidents underscore ongoing challenges within the aerospace industry, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing safety concerns and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.