Boeing whistleblower's family sues after his suicide
- John Barnett filed numerous safety concerns regarding Boeing's aircraft, including vital flight controls.
- After raising these concerns, Barnett allegedly faced harassment and retaliation from Boeing management.
- His family is suing Boeing, claiming that their actions contributed to his eventual suicide.
In March 2024, John Barnett, a former quality control manager at Boeing, took his own life in Charleston, South Carolina. Barnett's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Boeing, alleging he was subject to intense harassment and humiliation after raising safety concerns regarding the company’s aircraft. Barnett, who had worked for Boeing for 32 years, reported serious safety violations, including discarded metal shavings that could damage vital flight control wiring and defects in the oxygen systems of Boeing's 787 planes. The lawsuit claims Barnett was retaliated against with false job reviews and was placed in undesirable work situations, which led to a decline in his mental health and ultimately his suicide. The family's legal team emphasizes that while Boeing may not have directly caused his death, their actions contributed to his deteriorating mental state and a risk of suicide that was foreseeable. Boeing expressed condolences over Barnett's passing but has yet to formally respond in court regarding the allegations raised in the lawsuit. The situation highlights serious concerns about the treatment of whistleblowers and workplace safety at Boeing, especially given the company's troubled history with safety standards and responsiveness to employee concerns.