Aformer quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems who turned whistleblower has died after a sudden illness, his family announced on Tuesday.
Joshua Dean had accused Spirit AeroSystems of ignoring defects in the production of the 737 MAX, a series whose reputation has been marred by a series of crashes and safety issues in recent years.
Dean is the second Boeing whistleblower to die suddenly, after Josh Barnett was found dead less than two months ago. According to South Carolina authorities, Barnett died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Dean’s death is likely to again draw attention to Boeing, which has been under increased scrutiny from regulators and airlines since an emergency exit door blew off a Boeing 737 Max in midair in January after it took off from Portland International Airport.
