Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead Amid Depositions Against Plane Company

By Jay Blackman and Polly DeFrank

May 2, 2024 2:44 PM PDT

WEB Barnett Testified in Whistleblower Case

WEB Barnett, a former quality-control engineer for Boeing, had been in Charleston, South Carolina, giving testimony in his whistleblower case against the company when he was found dead in his truck in the parking lot of his hotel.

Barnett had raised concerns about safety issues with the Boeing 737 MAX, a model of aircraft that has been involved in two fatal crashes in recent years. He alleged that Boeing had ignored his warnings and put profits ahead of safety.

Boeing Responds to Barnett's Death

Boeing has expressed condolences to Barnett's family but has not commented on the circumstances of his death. The company has said that it is cooperating with the investigation into Barnett's death.

Investigation into Barnett's Death Ongoing

The investigation into Barnett's death is ongoing. Authorities have not yet released a cause of death. However, there are conflicting reports about whether or not Barnett's death is being treated as suspicious.

The death of WEB Barnett has raised questions about the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX. It also highlights the importance of protecting whistleblowers who speak out about safety concerns.