In a devastating blow to the aviation industry, a former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, Joshua Dean, has tragically passed away after a sudden illness, according to his family. Dean had previously raised concerns about defects in the production of the troubled 737 MAX series, which has faced significant crashes and safety issues in recent years. This news comes just months after another Boeing whistleblower, Josh Barnett, was found dead in an apparent suicide.

Dean's death is expected to once again draw attention to Boeing, as the company faces increased scrutiny from regulators and airlines. Earlier this year, an emergency exit door detached from a Boeing 737 Max during a flight, leading to a renewed focus on safety. Negative headlines and safety concerns have tarnished Boeing's reputation to the extent that a recent poll reveals a majority of Americans would pay extra to avoid flying on their aircraft.

In October 2022, Dean raised alarms about lax standards and a high number of defects at a Boeing manufacturing plant in Wichita, Kansas. However, he claimed that Spirit AeroSystems ignored his concerns. The company allegedly concealed the issues flagged by Dean from investors, only revealing them after independent reporting in August 2023.

Dean, a skilled mechanical engineer, had initially worked at Spirit AeroSystems from March 2019 to May 2020, but was let go during mass layoffs. He returned in May 2021 as a quality auditor and later became a level 2 stress engineer until his contract was terminated in April 2023. Dean believed that he was fired in retaliation for bringing attention to the defects at the Wichita plant.

The whistleblower also reported the alleged misconduct to the Federal Aviation Administration, which determined that his claims had substance. However, further details regarding the investigation were not disclosed.

Dean's family announced his passing on social media, attributing his death to pneumonia and complications from an MSRA infection. Despite leading a healthy lifestyle, Dean succumbed to a sudden, fast-spreading infection, according to The Seattle Times.

Brian Knowles, Dean's lawyer, expressed his condolences and described the loss as both a tragedy for the aviation community and for the flying public. Spirit AeroSystems issued a statement, extending their sympathies to Dean's family and expressing shock at the sudden loss.

The death of two whistleblowers within a short span of time underscores the challenges and risks faced by individuals who come forward with concerns about safety within the aviation industry. Investigations into Barnett's death are still ongoing.

As more details emerge about these tragic incidents, the focus on Boeing's reputation, safety measures, and their handling of whistleblower concerns is likely to intensify.