Family of Boeing whistleblower settles lawsuit with aircraft maker over his death
The family of John Barnett, a former Boeing quality control manager who died by suicide after whistleblowing on alleged safety defects, has settled a lawsuit against Boeing. The details of the settlement remain undisclosed, but it allows either party to reopen the case if not finalized in 60 days. Barnett raised concerns about safety issues, including problems with oxygen systems on Boeing's 787 planes, but felt ignored and harassed by the company. Boeing expressed condolences and stated they had addressed the issues raised by Barnett.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The family of a former Boeing quality control manager who killed himself after lawyers questioned him about his whistleblowing on alleged jumbo jet defects has settled a lawsuit against the aircraft maker.
Details of the settlement over John Barnett’s death were not disclosed in a court filing Monday.
Barnett, a longtime Boeing employee, shared his safety concerns with journalists after he retired in 2017. He said he once saw discarded metal shavings near wiring for the flight controls that could have cut the wiring and caused a catastrophe. He also noted problems with up to a quarter of the oxygen systems on Boeing’s 787 planes.
Barnett shared his concerns with his supervisors and others before leaving Boeing, but according to the lawsuit they responded by ignoring him and then harassing him.
Barnett, 62, shot himself on March 9, 2024, in Charleston after answering questions from attorneys for several days. He lived in Louisiana.
The document announcing the settlement and closing the case in federal court in South Carolina was one page and the only detail was that either side can reopen the lawsuit if the settlement is not finalized in 60 days.
Boeing did not answer the lawsuit in court papers before the settlement.
“We are saddened by John Barnett’s death and extend our condolences to his family. Boeing took actions several years ago to review and address the issues that Mr. Barnett raised," the company said in a statement Tuesday.
___
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. The national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
Should You Invest $1,000 in Boeing Right Now?
Before you consider Boeing, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Boeing wasn't on the list.
While Boeing currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
