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The family of former Boeing quality manager John Barnett, has launched a wrongful death lawsuit against the aerospace giant, accusing it of subjecting him to a campaign of harassment that led to his suicide.
The complaint, filed in the US District Court of South Carolina, alleges that Boeing’s treatment of Barnett created a hostile work environment that caused him severe psychological distress.
Barnett, who spent 32 years at Boeing, was found dead in his car in a Charleston hotel parking lot on March 9 last year. His family claims the company’s retaliatory actions were the “clear, foreseeable cause” of his death.
His mother and two brothers, who brought the suit on behalf of his estate, argue that Boeing’s conduct resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder and depression that became unbearable for him.
“Whether or not Boeing intended to drive John to death or merely destroy his ability to function, it was absolutely foreseeable that Boeing’s conduct would result in PTSD and John’s unbearable depression,” the lawsuit states.
Among the evidence submitted is an email in which Barnett reportedly said: “Boeing has completely destroyed my outlook on life,” along with a handwritten note found at the scene of his death saying, “I can’t do this any longer!! Enough!!”.
Boeing responded with a statement expressing condolences to Barnett’s family but has previously denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the concerns he raised before retiring in 2017 did not impact aircraft safety.
Whistleblower raised safety concerns
Barnett worked at Boeing’s North Charleston facility, where the 787 Dreamliner is manufactured. He repeatedly highlighted serious safety violations to management, including claims that sub-standard parts were intentionally installed on aircraft to keep production moving, and that defective components were unaccounted for due to failures in tracking procedures.
He also raised concerns about oxygen systems on the 787, alleging that one in four emergency masks might fail to deploy in a crisis.
In 2019, he went public with his claims, speaking to the media about the risks he believed Boeing was ignoring. While the company rejected his allegations, a 2017 review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) validated some of his concerns.
The regulator found that at least 53 non-conforming parts had been misplaced within the factory and ordered Boeing to take corrective measures. The company later acknowledged discovering faulty oxygen cylinders but insisted they were never installed on operational aircraft.
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Boeing under renewed scrutiny
The lawsuit comes as Boeing faces mounting pressure over its safety and quality control practices. An emergency involving a 737 Max aircraft last year, in which a disused door panel detached mid-flight, has intensified regulatory scrutiny of its manufacturing standards. The incident followed two deadly crashes involving the same aircraft model in 2018 and 2019.
Boeing has since pledged reforms, appointing a new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, and outlining a plan to improve safety oversight. In response to Barnett’s case, the company stated that it values employees who raise concerns and has systems in place for confidential and anonymous reporting.
It also pointed to a 2020 decision by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which found no violation of whistleblower protection laws in Barnett’s case.
Despite Boeing’s assurances, the lawsuit paints a stark picture of an employee who was allegedly punished for prioritizing passenger safety over corporate interests. As the case moves forward, it may further impact the company’s reputation and reignite debates over protections for whistleblowers in the aerospace industry and elsewhere.
