Whistleblower Family’s Lawsuit Sparks Debate On Aerospace Accountability

Person blowing a silver whistle close-up.

The family of a Boeing whistleblower who took his own life has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the aerospace giant, alleging the company’s harassment led to his suicide.

Key Takeaways

John Barnett, a former Boeing quality control manager with a 32-year career, died by suicide in March 2024 while in the midst of legal proceedings against Boeing.
The wrongful death lawsuit claims Boeing subjected Barnett to harassment, abuse, and a hostile work environment after he reported safety violations, leading to his diagnosed PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Barnett had reported serious safety issues including metal shavings near flight control wiring and problems with oxygen systems on Boeing 787 planes.
He left a suicide note blaming Boeing’s leaders for his demise, writing “I pray Boeing pays.”
The lawsuit comes amid broader scrutiny of Boeing’s safety practices following incidents including a door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX-9.

A Whistleblower’s Final Battle

John Barnett, who worked for Boeing for 32 years until his retirement in 2017, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Charleston, South Carolina hotel parking lot in March 2024. His death occurred during a deposition related to his wrongful termination lawsuit against Boeing. Barnett had been scheduled to testify the day he died, a tragic end to his years-long fight against what he claimed were dangerous safety violations at the aerospace manufacturer.

The lawsuit filed by Barnett’s family alleges that Boeing is responsible for his suicide due to the “campaign of harassment, abuse and intimidation intended to discourage, discredit and humiliate him until he would either give up or be discredited.” According to court documents, Barnett was diagnosed with PTSD, depression, panic attacks, and anxiety resulting from his experiences at the company. His retirement in 2017 reportedly came as a result of these mental health struggles.

Serious Safety Allegations

During his time at Boeing, Barnett reported seeing concerning safety violations that he claimed the company systematically ignored. These included metal shavings near flight control wiring and issues with oxygen systems on Boeing 787 planes. The lawsuit states that instead of addressing these safety concerns, Boeing retaliated against Barnett with poor job reviews, undesirable shifts, and public blame for production delays.

Barnett filed a whistleblower retaliation complaint with OSHA in 2017, which was ruled against him. He later filed a federal lawsuit in 2021, accusing the company of safety lapses. The lawsuit claims that Boeing prohibited employees from contacting Barnett after his retirement, further isolating him and contributing to his distress. In notes and emails cited in the legal filing, Barnett expressed despair and his inability to continue, directly citing Boeing’s impact on his life.

“Boeing subjected John Barnett to a “campaign of harassment, abuse and intimidation intended to discourage, discredit and humiliate him until he would either give up or be discredited,” said Barnett family attorneys Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles. “Mr. Barnett’s last words make clear that while Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, the company is responsible for his death,” the lawyers said.

Boeing’s Response and Industry Impact

Boeing has expressed condolences but denied Barnett’s allegations about safety violations. “We are saddened by John Barnett’s death and extend our condolences to his family,” the company stated, while maintaining its commitment to employee empowerment to report problems. The Federal Aviation Administration had opened an investigation into falsified records at the Boeing plant where Barnett worked, indicating some regulatory attention to his claims.

Barnett’s death came amid increased scrutiny of Boeing’s safety practices, particularly following a door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines-operated Boeing 737 MAX-9 in January. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for lost pay, benefits, medical expenses, emotional distress, mental anguish, lost future earnings, and lost life insurance benefits. Barnett’s family is represented by attorneys Robert Turkewitz, Brian Knowles, and prominent lawyer David Boies.