Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, a major Boeing contractor, died at the age of 45 due to a “sudden, fast-spreading infection,” according to family members and press reports. Dean had publicly raised concerns about manufacturing flaws on the Boeing 737 Max, contributing to a broader dialogue around aviation safety and corporate accountability.
Dean’s death, which occurred after a brief illness involving the flu, pneumonia, and MRSA, has left the aviation community in mourning. His passing comes at a time when Boeing and its suppliers face increased scrutiny over manufacturing and quality control lapses. This attention has intensified after a 737 Max 9 jet experienced a midair blowout of a portion of the fuselage in January, fortunately without serious injuries.
Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson Joe Buccino expressed the company’s shock at the sudden loss and extended sympathies to Dean’s family. Dean’s legal representatives, attorneys Robert M. Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, highlighted Dean’s valor, stating, “Aviation companies should encourage and incentivize those who raise such concerns and not retaliate against them.”
Dean had identified mis-drilled holes on a critical part of the 737 Max jet known as the aft pressure bulkhead. Despite repeated reports to Spirit, the defect was concealed for 10 months until Boeing reported a similar issue. Dean’s advocacy for aviation safety led to his firing from Spirit in April 2023, and he subsequently filed a complaint with the Department of Labor alleging retaliation for his whistleblower actions.
The larger aviation safety debate was further strained by the death in March of John Barnett, another whistleblower who flagged safety concerns in Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner production. Barnett was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound ahead of a trial in a whistleblower retaliation case against Boeing.
Dean, who was not a plaintiff but mentioned in a 2023 shareholder lawsuit against Spirit, had experienced significant stress due to his whistleblowing activities, according to Turkewitz. The attorney suggested that the accumulated stress might have contributed to Dean’s weakened immune system, making him more susceptible to the infection.
In the wake of these events, lawmakers and regulators are voicing concerns about Boeing’s commitment to prioritizing safety. The company has come under congressional scrutiny, with several whistleblowers testifying before a Senate subcommittee about facing retaliation after reporting safety issues. Boeing maintains that it has strict policies prohibiting such retaliation.
With Boeing currently in talks to reacquire Spirit, which it had spun off in 2005, the industry is closely watching to see if this move will lead to improved oversight and a commitment to higher quality standards. Dean’s case, though overshadowed by his untimely death, continues to put pressure on both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems to reevaluate their approach to safety and the treatment of employees who raise concerns.
Relevant articles:
– Whistleblower for Boeing contractor Spirit Aerosystems dies, The Spokesman-Review
– Transportation, Washington Post
– Boeing whistleblower dies following a brief illness, weeks after the suicide of another, nbcnews.com
– Whistleblower at key Boeing supplier dies after sudden illness, CBS News