Joshua Dean, another Boeing Whistleblower, dies at 45 After Warning of 737 Max Defects
Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s key supplier for the 737 Max, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 45 after contracting a sudden, severe infection. Dean was one of the first whistleblowers to expose serious manufacturing defects and a culture of disregarding safety concerns at Spirit.
Whistleblowing on 737 Max Manufacturing Defects
In December 2023, Dean filed a lawsuit against Spirit AeroSystems, alleging that the company’s management made false or misleading claims about their commitment to safety and defect-free manufacturing. As a quality auditor, Dean reported a problem with the rear pressure bulkhead a critical component of the 737 Max, to various managers but was disregarded.
Subsequently, it was revealed that Spirit employees had misdrilled holes on parts of some 737 Max planes, including the aft pressure bulkhead Dean had warned about. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal in January 2024, Dean described a culture at Spirit where workers were constantly pressured to meet unrealistic deadlines and reporting flaws was either discouraged or met with retaliation.
“It is known at Spirit that if you make too much noise and cause too much trouble, you will be moved,” Dean said. “They don’t want you to find everything and write it up.”
Ramifications Faced by Dean
After raising concerns about the safety of Boeing’s aircraft, Dean faced serious consequences:
- In April 2023, Dean was fired from Spirit AeroSystems. He filed a complaint with the Department of Labor, alleging that he was terminated in retaliation for flagging safety issues.
- Dean filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), accusing the quality management team that worked on the 737 Max production line of serious and gross misconduct.
- Dean became the second Boeing whistleblower to die suddenly in 2024, following the death of John Barnett, 62, in March.
Health Decline and Passing
According to his aunt, Carol Dean Parsons, Dean was admitted to the hospital due to breathing difficulties just over two weeks before his death. He was intubated and contracted pneumonia and a severe infection, which ultimately led to his passing on Tuesday morning.
Dean, who was in good health and led an active lifestyle, died suddenly at the age of 45. His aunt expressed her grief on Facebook, stating, “He passed away yesterday morning, and his absence will be deeply felt. We will always love you Josh.”
The tragic deaths of Joshua Dean and John Barnett highlight the immense pressure and potential risks faced by whistleblowers who courageously speak out against safety issues and misconduct in the aviation industry. Their efforts to expose critical problems with Boeing’s 737 Max serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a strong safety culture and protecting those who stand up for what is right.