Boeing whistleblower Josh Dean passed away after a sudden illness – he was the former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, a Boeing supplier. Dean had raised concerns about manufacturing defects but was laid off due to job cuts in 2020. He was rehired the following year as their quality auditor.
The 45-year-old fell ill two weeks ago and was admitted to the hospital with breathing difficulties. He developed pneumonia and a severe bacterial infection and was placed on life support. Unfortunately, Dean’s health deteriorated rapidly, and he passed away on Tuesday morning after battling for two weeks.
During an audit in 2022, Dean found a major manufacturing defect in parts built by Spirit for Boeing’s 737 MAX. He raised the concern with senior management but alleged that nothing was done to address the issue. Dean was fired in April 2023 after missing a separate flaw that caused a delivery pause for the company.
Dean filed a safety complaint with the FAA, alleging that Spirit initially withheld information about the defect. He also gave a deposition in a lawsuit, alleging “excessive” defects at the plant. Dean’s family and lawyer have expressed condolences and praised his courage for standing up for safety and quality issues.
Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson shared condolences, calling Dean’s sudden death stunning news. The aviation community mourns the loss of a whistleblower who spoke out against manufacturing defects in Boeing’s parts.
