Joshua Dean, a former quality inspector at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems and one of the first whistleblowers to reveal manufacturing defects on the 737 MAX, died Tuesday morning of a rapidly spreading infection.
Josh Dean lived in Wichita, Canada, where Spirit is located, was 45 years old, in good health, and known among his friends for his healthy lifestyle.
Infection, stroke, amputation threatened
Now he died unexpectedly from a rapidly spreading infection. He had previously been sedated and dialyzed and had suffered a stroke. Ultimately, doctors considered amputating her hands and feet to stop the infection. But Jos died.
“Shocking news”
Spirit spokesman Joe Buccino said: “Our thoughts are with Josh Dean’s family. This sudden loss is devastating news for us and for his family members.”
Dean had filed an affidavit and complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration as part of a lawsuit brought by Spirit’s shareholders, accusing Spirit of “serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management on the 737 production line.”
Spirit fired Dean in April 2023, who filed a complaint with the Department of Labor alleging his firings were retaliatory, according to the Seattle Times.
Problems were swept under the rug
In October 2022, Dean discovered a serious manufacturing defect: technicians had incorrectly drilled holes in the MAX’s rear pressure bulkhead. When he raised this issue with management, nothing was done. Dean was released a short time later.
Filed a complaint
Dean filed an aviation whistleblower complaint with the Department of Labor, alleging wrongful dismissal and “gross misconduct by senior quality managers of Spirit AeroSystems.”
After a panel was blown off a Boeing 737 MAX in January, one of Dean’s former Spirit colleagues confirmed some of Dean’s claims.
Source: Krone
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