Boeing whistleblower John Barnett found dead
Washington PostMAR 2 2024
Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead
Image copyright: Samuel Corum/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
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.