Former Spirit AeroSystems employee and whistleblower Joshua Dean, who accused the company of alleged quality control issues in the production of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, has passed away after a sudden illness, according to his family and lawyer, Al Jazeera reports.
Dean had filed a complaint against Spirit AeroSystems with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), alleging serious quality failings at the production facility. He also testified in a shareholder lawsuit against the company and believes that he was fired as a warning to others who might consider speaking out.
Dean’s mother had previously shared on social media that her son was fighting for his life after contracting pneumonia and suffering a stroke following an MRSA infection. Spirit AeroSystems expressed condolences to Dean’s family, acknowledging his loss as stunning news for both the company and his loved ones.
Dean’s passing comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Spirit AeroSystems following an incident involving a 737 MAX 9 door panel that blew out mid-flight in January. Dean’s death follows that of another Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, who was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound two months earlier.
