Second Boeing Whistleblower Dies After ‘Sudden’ Illness
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, died Tuesday after “a struggle with a sudden, fast-spreading infection,” according to The Seattle Times (Center bias).
The Infection: Dean was 45 years old, and according to the Times, “had been in good health and was noted for having a healthy lifestyle.” He spent two weeks in critical condition, in which he developed pneumonia and a “serious bacterial infection.” A post from Dean’s mother said a CT scan revealed he had suffered a stroke.
The Details: Dean previously filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration alleging “serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line” at Spirit. He also gave a deposition in a Spirit shareholder lawsuit and filed a complaint with federal officials after Spirit fired him in April 2023, claiming unfair termination.
For Context: Dean is the second Boeing whistleblower to die in what media outlets have framed as suspicious circumstances this year. In March, former Boeing employee turned whistleblower John Barnett was found dead in a hotel parking lot on the day he was scheduled to meet with lawyers as part of a deposition he’d been giving in a case against Boeing. Officials ruled Barnett’s death a suicide, though the investigation is still ongoing. According to the Times, Dean and Barnett were represented by the same South Carolina law firm.
How The Media Covered It: Coverage was largely based on The Seattle Times’ reporting and included context on Barnett’s death.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Boeing whistleblower from Kansas is 2nd to die in past 2 monthsA second Boeing whistleblower has died unexpectedly as the company faces scrutiny over safety failures on its passenger jets.
Joshua Dean, a quality inspector for the Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, died this week after a surprise infection left him in critical condition for days, according to his family.
The cause was Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection commonly known as MRSA, his aunt Carol Parsons told the Seattle Times, which first reported the death.
From the Center
Whistleblower Josh Dean of Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems has diedJoshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems and one of the first whistleblowers to allege Spirit leadership had ignored manufacturing defects on the 737 MAX, died Tuesday morning after a struggle with a sudden, fast-spreading infection.
Known as Josh, Dean lived in Wichita, Kan., where Spirit is based. He was 45, had been in good health and was noted for having a healthy lifestyle.
He died after two weeks in critical condition, his aunt Carol Parsons said.
Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino said: “Our thoughts are with...
From the Left
Second Boeing whistleblower dies after short illnessJoshua Dean, a Boeing whistleblower who warned of manufacturing defects in the planemaker’s 737 Max, has died after a short illness, the second Boeing whistleblower to die this year.
Dean, 45, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alleging “serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line” at Spirit.
In 2018 and 2019, two 737 Max planes were involved in fatal crashes, which killed 346 people. Dean was fired by Spirit last year, and filed a complaint...
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