Oklahoma City, May 3: Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems and a prominent Boeing whistleblower, passed away at the age of 45 on Tuesday, April 30, after battling a sudden illness. Dean's health took a sudden turn for the worse when he was diagnosed with an MRSA bacterial infection and pneumonia, leading to respiratory difficulties. Despite receiving medical treatment, his condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring intensive care and life support measures.

Dean, known for raising concerns about manufacturing flaws in Boeing's 737 MAX planes, succumbed to a severe infection, just months after another whistleblower, John Barnett, passed away under suspicious circumstances. According to an NPR report, despite efforts to save him, including transportation to a facility in Oklahoma City, medical teams were unable to revive him. John Barnett Dies: Boeing Whistleblower Who Raised Concerns Over Production Standards Found Dead in US.

Who Was Joshua Dean?

Dean, a resident of Wichita, Kansas, where Spirit AeroSystems is located, began his career at the aircraft manufacturer in 2019 after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering. His tenure at Spirit was marked by his commitment to upholding safety standards and ensuring quality control. However, his advocacy for stringent inspection protocols led to his termination in April 2023, following accusations of failing to identify a manufacturing issue that resulted in a delivery halt for the company.

Dean's whistleblowing efforts extended beyond Spirit AeroSystems, as he accused Boeing of ignoring significant production flaws in Spirit-built 737 MAX parts. Despite facing challenges and alleged retaliation, Dean remained steadfast in his pursuit of justice, lodging complaints with regulatory authorities and participating in legal proceedings against Spirit.  Boeing Safety Crisis: CEO David Calhoun To Step Down in Management Shake-Up As Manufacturing Issues Plague Storied Plane Maker.

Dean's concerns centred around critical manufacturing flaws in Boeing's 737 MAX planes, particularly highlighting improperly drilled holes in fuselage components. His allegations of negligence and concealment of defects by Spirit AeroSystems reverberated throughout the industry, prompting federal investigations and shareholder lawsuits against the company. Dean's untimely demise comes amidst heightened scrutiny of Boeing's supply chain practices and calls for greater accountability in ensuring aircraft safety.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2024 02:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).