A former Spirit Aerosystems worker who raised concerns over the Boeing 737 aircraft has died.
Family members reported that Joshua Dean died of an infection. He was 45.
Dean was a quality auditor with Spirit, and he had filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration alleging safety concerns and misconduct by managers on the production line for the 737. He claimed that Spirit fired him last year in retaliation.
Boeing has had struggles this year after questions were raised about safety and quality issues, particularly with its 737 MAX jets. Production and aircraft deliveries have slowed as Boeing tries to stabilize production.
Spirit issued a statement saying “Our thoughts are with Josh Dean’s family. This sudden loss is stunning news here and for his loved ones.”
Dean is the second Boeing-related whistleblower to die in the past year. John Barnett died in March in South Carolina from what authorities called a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
