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Boeing whistleblower John Barnett found dead

Police in Charleston, South Carolina, are investigating the death of John Barnett, a 62-year-old former Boeing employee-turned-whistleblower. The coroner says he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It comes as the company faces growing pressure following a series of incidents and as the FAA has uncovered safety and quality concerns over the company's Max 737 jet production. NBC’s Tom Costello reports for TODAY. » Subscribe to TODAY: https://www.youtube.com/@TODAY About: TODAY brings you the latest headlines and expert tips on money, health and parenting. We wake up every morning to give you and your family all you need to start your day. If it matters to you, it matters to us. We are in the people business. Subscribe to our channel for exclusive TODAY archival footage & our original web series. Connect with TODAY Online! Visit TODAY's Website: https://www.today.com/ Find TODAY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/today Follow TODAY on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TODAYshow Follow TODAY on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/todayshow/ » Stream TODAY All Day: https://www.today.com/allday About: TODAY All Day is a 24/7 streaming channel bringing you the top stories in news and pop culture, celebrity interviews, cooking, and more. All in one place. #boeing #whistleblower #airline

TODAY

20 hours ago

this morning police in Charleston South Carolina tell NBC news they are aware of the death of a former Boeing Employee turned whistleblower 62-year-old John Barnett found dead on Friday from what the coroner calls an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound so this is my uh retirement plaque Barnett retired from Boeing in 2017 after working as a quality manager for more than 30 years since his departure he has taken legal action against the company claiming he was retaliated against for raising saf
ety issues internally issues that Boeing denied at the time back in 2019 Barnett sat down with today describing a halfhazard safety culture at Boeing from day one it's just all been about schedule and hurry up and just get it done push the planes out we're behind schedule you know we don't have time to to worry about issues that y'all bring up in 2017 the FAA released a review upholding many of Barnett's concerns with regards to his sudden death the company released a statement writing we are sa
dden by Mr Barnett's passing and our thoughts are with his family and friends production standards at Boeing are under intense scrutiny following a series of troubling incidents involving Boeing planes the latest on Monday when a 787 from the South American Airline lantom apparently dropped abruptly mid-fight from Sydney to Auckland injuring at least 50 passengers and crew members the airline says it's unclear what caused the strong movement on the flight NBC News has also confirmed the justice
department has launched a criminal investigation into Boeing following the blowout door plug on a 787 max9 in January the NTSB determined the plane left the Boeing plant without critical bolts that hold the plug in place a scathing new FAA audit also found Boeing failed to comply with its own quality control procedures we're working with Boeing and uh demand that they come up with a very detailed plan within the next 90 days uh to fix the quality issues that are out there Tom we've also learned
new details about that FAA audit what have you know yeah that's right so according to a slide presentation that was reviewed by the New York Times Boeing failed 33 out of 89 FAA audits 33 out of 89 failures over a six we period NBC News has not seen the slides ourselves Spirit Aeros systems which makes the fusel for the Boeing plane also failed multiple Audits and in one case Auditors saw mechanics using a hotel key card to check a door seal other mechanics were seen applying liquid soap to a do
or seal as part of the fit up process MBC news told NBC rather Boeing told NBC news this morning quote we continue to implement immediate changes and develop a comprehensive action plan to strengthen safety and quality and build the confidence of our customers and their passengers and they have some work to do Savannah absolutely Tom thank you very much hey thanks for watching don't miss the Today's Show every weekday at 11:00 a.m. eastern 8 Pacific on our streaming Channel today all day to watc
h head to today.com all day or click the link right here

Comments

@notmebutyou8350

No. "Whistle-blower" and "found dead" used in the same sentence doesn't raise a red flag. Not at all.......

@1900intz

It’s ONLY because they got caught. Boycott Boeing. Save your life.

@josephmccandlish2458

The CEO should be charged with endangering the public.

@robertstewart8224

This man put everything on the line to make air carriers accountable and air travel safer. A hero by all standards

@PeacefulJoint

Murdered. Literally nobody thinks he ended his own life.

@biggie2568

Nope, nope. Murdered. Killed. Assassinated. He was ABSOLUTELY killed. That was NOT self inflcited.

@bartobruintjes7056

John Barnett killed by Boeing. It's always very dangerous by becoming a whistleblower. R.I.P.

@jonahkluger6136

This reminds me of how another person with important information was killed before they were able to testify.

@trainboy192

We all know it wasn’t suicide.

@brendahart5472

Imagine 33 out of 89 audits. That is downright criminal.

@mr.voidout4739

Not even subtle. What a desensitized world we live in.

@5thdimension954

My husband, a physician, and I took a 737 from Palm Springs to Chicago where the plane started abruptly shaking, spilling food and drinks everywhere. The plane dropped thousands of feet before violently jolting people out of their seats. My husband had to provide care to two women who were unconscious as a result. The following day every 737 was grounded. I know without a doubt the issues that occurred in the plane contributed to the grounding. This incident was never reported in the news.

@KenMac-ui2vb

'self inflicted'. What a joke.

@carbonlz473

Why would someone testify against a company and then randomly just found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. If you actually believe that you are what is wrong with our country.

@CultofThings

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends” sounds like a threat at this point.

@darvoid66

They aren't saddened. They are relieved.

@xisotopex

its amazing how often whistleblowers end up in jail or dead.

@nyr4evr13

The coroner should not be the final determination of this case. Mr. Barnett's family needs an independent autopsy. And a complete investigation into the death of this man, including treating the scene as a crime scene and collecting all the evidence. Absolutely no one believes Mr. Barnett committed suicide.

@DannyKlimt

He didn't pass away, he departed.

@wallochdm1

This is what you get when a company completely loses its way.