Josh Dean, whistle-blower at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, has passed away:-

In March, a Boeing 737 MAX fuselage adorned with the Spirit AeroSystems logo awaits transport outside the Renton assembly plant. Josh Dean, once a quality auditor at Spirit, was terminated in April 2023. Subsequently, he bravely stepped forward as a whistle-blower, accusing management of overlooking critical quality defects. (Image Credit: Ellen M. Banner / The Seattle Times)

Former Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems quality auditor Joshua Dean, affectionately known as Josh, tragically passed away after battling a sudden and fast-spreading infection. A pioneer whistle-blower who dared to expose manufacturing defects on the 737 MAX, Dean, aged 45, resided in Wichita, Kansas, the headquarters of Spirit. He was admired for his commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

His untimely demise occurred after a gruelling two-week struggle in critical condition, as confirmed by his aunt Carol Parsons. Joe Buccino, spokesperson for Spirit, conveyed heartfelt condolences, acknowledging the shockwaves of grief that reverberated through both the company and Dean's circle of loved ones.
Dean's unwavering dedication to truth and safety was evident in his actions. He provided a crucial deposition in a shareholder lawsuit, shedding light on systemic issues within Spirit's quality management. Additionally, he fearlessly filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration, highlighting serious misconduct in the production line of the 737 aircraft.

Despite his invaluable contributions to aviation safety, Dean faced adversity. His termination by Spirit in April 2023 prompted him to lodge a complaint with the Department of Labour, citing retaliation for his efforts to uphold safety standards within the industry.

Joshua Dean's legacy transcends his professional endeavours; he symbolizes the courage of whistle-blowers and the importance of accountability in safeguarding public trust and safety. His passing leaves a void in the aerospace community, yet his spirit of integrity and resilience will endure as an inspiration for generations to come.

Parsons revealed that Dean fell ill and sought medical attention just over two weeks ago due to respiratory difficulties. Subsequently, he was intubated and diagnosed with pneumonia, followed by a severe bacterial infection known as MRSA.

His health rapidly deteriorated, prompting his transfer from Wichita to an Oklahoma City hospital via airlift. There, he underwent treatment with an ECMO machine, a lifesaving device that assists with heart and lung function when the body's organs fail to operate independently.

On Friday, Dean's mother took to Facebook to share these harrowing developments, emphasizing her son's valiant fight for survival.

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He underwent heavy sedation and required dialysis. A CT scan revealed he had suffered a stroke, according to his mother's post. Eventually, medical professionals contemplated the necessity of amputating both his hands and feet. Parsons described the ordeal as "brutal" and "heartbreaking."

Dean was represented by a South Carolina-based law firm, which also represented Boeing whistleblower John "Mitch" Barnett. Barnett's untimely death in March, initially deemed a suicide, occurred amidst his deposition process, where he alleged retaliation by Boeing for quality-related complaints. His body was discovered with a gunshot wound in Charleston, S.C., where Boeing operates its 787 manufacturing facility. Despite the apparent cause of death, investigations into Barnett's demise continue nearly two months later.

Brian Knowles, one of Dean’s attorneys, refrained from speculating on the proximity and circumstances surrounding the two deaths.

“Whistleblowers play a vital role in uncovering wrongdoing and corruption for the greater good of society. It requires immense courage to speak out,” Knowles emphasized. “These are challenging circumstances. Our heartfelt condolences are with the families of both John and Josh.”

Dean, a mechanical engineer, commenced his employment at Spirit in 2019. After being laid off the subsequent year due to pandemic-related downsizing, he resumed his tenure at Spirit in May 2021, this time as a quality auditor.

In October 2022, Dean uncovered a significant manufacturing flaw: mechanics were incorrectly drilling holes in the aft pressure bulkhead of the MAX. Despite bringing this issue to management's attention, no action was taken.

While focused on rectifying these defects, Dean inadvertently overlooked a separate manufacturing flaw during the same audit. This flaw involved the fittings that attach the vertical tail fin to the fuselage, which came to light in April, resulting in a delivery pause at Boeing’s Renton plant and ultimately leading to Dean's termination.

Subsequently, in August, Spirit disclosed the discovery of improperly drilled holes in the MAX’s aft pressure bulkhead, a defect present in MAXs manufactured as early as 2019. This revelation prompted another delivery halt in Renton.

Following this revelation, Dean lodged a safety complaint with the FAA, alleging that Spirit had unfairly targeted him and deceived the FAA regarding the aft pressure bulkhead defects.

“In the aftermath of my termination, Spirit AeroSystems initially failed to disclose to the FAA and the public” their awareness of the aft pressure bulkhead defects, Dean outlined in his complaint.

In November, the FAA responded with a letter acknowledging completion of its investigation into the safety concerns raised by Dean. While the letter does not explicitly reveal the investigation's findings, it implies that Dean's allegations held merit.

"The investigation concluded that your concerns were appropriately addressed within an FAA-sanctioned safety framework," stated the FAA. "However, due to privacy provisions, specific details cannot be disclosed."

During the same period, Dean submitted an aviation whistleblower complaint to the Department of Labor, alleging wrongful termination and "gross misconduct by senior-level Spirit AeroSystems Quality Managers." This case remained pending.

Following his departure from Spirit, Dean briefly worked at Boeing Wichita before transitioning to another company.

In December, a shareholder lawsuit was filed, accusing Spirit management of concealing information regarding quality flaws and causing harm to shareholders. Dean supported the lawsuit by providing a deposition outlining his allegations.

In January, renewed attention was drawn to the quality lapses at Spirit after a panel detached from a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Subsequently, one of Dean’s former colleagues at Spirit corroborated some of his allegations.

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