The family of John Barnett, a former Boeing employee turned whistleblower are taking legal action against the US plane manufacturer.
The parties filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the aviation giant in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina on 20 March.
Barnett, a quality control manager with 32 years at Boeing, died on 9 March 2024, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, ruled a suicide.
His family, however, claims Boeing’s relentless harassment drove him to this tragic end. This case shines a spotlight on the Boeing whistleblower’s fight for safety and the company’s alleged retaliation.
Who Was John Barnett?
John Barnett dedicated over three decades to Boeing, retiring in 2017 from its North Charleston plant, where the 787 Dreamliner is built. After leaving, he became a vocal Boeing whistleblower, exposing serious safety flaws.
He reported metal shavings near flight control wiring, defective oxygen systems, and other issues Boeing allegedly ignored. Barnett claimed the company retaliated with harassment, poor performance reviews, and a hostile work environment.
This, he said, caused severe stress, anxiety, and PTSD. At the time of his death, he was in Charleston giving deposition testimony for a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against Boeing.
The Lawsuit’s Claims
Filed by Barnett’s mother, Vicky Stokes, and brothers, Rodney and Michael, the lawsuit accuses Boeing of creating conditions that led to his death. It alleges the company had waged a “campaign of harassment, abuse, and intimidation.” This was a deliberate move to silence the Boeing whistleblower.
The family argues this foreseeable harm worsened his mental health, culminating in his suicide. They seek damages for emotional distress, lost earnings, and medical costs, though no specific amount is listed.
Boeing expressed sympathy but denied Barnett’s safety claims, insisting that they had addressed them and that they posed no risk to aircraft.
A Questioned Suicide
The Charleston County Coroner ruled Barnett’s death a suicide after finding him in his truck. Yet, his family and lawyers dispute this. They note his upbeat attitude days before and his assurances to others that he’d never take his own life.
The Boeing whistleblower’s death fueled speculation, especially given its timing during his legal battle. The newly filed lawsuit now aims to hold Boeing accountable, honoring Barnett’s push for air safety.
Boeing Under Scrutiny
Barnett’s case isn’t isolated. His 2017 OSHA complaint and 2021 lawsuit, set for trial in 2024, highlight ongoing tensions. His death follows incidents like the January 2024 Alaska Airlines 737 Max door blowout, intensifying scrutiny of Boeing’s safety culture.
As a Boeing whistleblower, Barnett’s warnings about overlooked defects resonated amid these events. It raised further questions about corporate accountability in aviation.
Looking Ahead
The lawsuit continues Barnett’s legacy, seeking justice for a man who risked his job to expose safety risks. His family wants closure and will ensure his voice remains heard.
For Boeing, it’s another challenge to its reputation as regulators and the public watch closely. This Boeing whistleblower’s story underscores the human cost of corporate disputes and the stakes of aviation safety.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
