Boeing whistleblower John Barnett found dead
Washington PostMar 03
Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead
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The Facts
John Barnett, a 62-year-old former Boeing employee who previously raised safety concerns about the firm's production standards, died from an apparent "self-inflicted" wound on Saturday in South Carolina.
Barnett's lawyer, Brian Knowles, said he was found dead in his truck at a hotel from an "alleged" self-inflicted gunshot. He was on a break from depositions in a whistleblower lawsuit against Boeing at the time.
The Spin
Narrative A
John Barnett's death only adds to the unease surrounding Boeing's safety record. His serious allegations of production flaws blew the lid off entrenched problems that have been affecting the aviation giant's production process for years. Barnett's untimely passing could limit crucial further whistleblowing about Boeing's poor practices.
Narrative B
John Barnett's allegations about Boeing planes' dysfunctional oxygen masks were baseless and have been addressed satisfactorily. Boeing's equipment systems comply with state-of-the-art design and regulatory requirements. His claims were nothing more than mudslinging from a disgruntled ex-employee.