John Barnett, a former Boeing quality control manager who was found dead in March, had accused the company of numerous violations of US law in his testimony just before his death. Barnett, who had worked for Boeing for over 30 years before retiring in 2017, claimed that the company attempted to eliminate quality inspections at a plant responsible for manufacturing 787 Dreamliner planes.
In his formal legal deposition against Boeing, Barnett detailed various safety concerns and alleged that managers routinely disregarded procedures to expedite aircraft production. He asserted that employees were pressured to bypass established protocols, leading to the inclusion of faulty parts in the production line and even the potential installation of defective components in operational aircraft.
Of particular concern was Barnett's claim regarding the mishandling of a contaminated tube intended for an oxygen system, which posed a significant risk of explosion if activated on an aircraft. He also highlighted instances of falsification of records and the lack of adequate quality control inspections, especially at Boeing's South Carolina plant.
Boeing responded to Barnett's allegations by expressing sadness over his passing and stating that they had reviewed and addressed the quality issues raised by him before his retirement. The company maintained that the issues raised did not compromise aircraft safety and emphasized its commitment to addressing all allegations of improper behavior.
Despite Boeing's response, Barnett's lawsuit is expected to proceed, with his family representing his estate in the legal proceedings. The case is scheduled to go to trial in September.
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