Boeing Faces Another Blow as Whistleblower Dies in Apparent Suicide

By Theo Leggett, Business Correspondent, BBC News

May 2, 2024, 144 PM PDT

Washington DC, CNN: Boeing's already tarnished reputation has taken further damage as one of its whistleblowers, John Barnett, has been found dead after two days of testimony. Officials have confirmed that the 62-year-old's death was a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Barnett had previously worked as a quality control manager at Boeing and had expressed concerns about the safety of the company's 737 Max aircraft. These concerns were raised in the wake of two fatal crashes involving the aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which resulted in the deaths of over 300 people.

The news of Barnett's death has shocked the aviation industry and raised questions about Boeing's commitment to transparency and accountability. Last year, the company settled a $2.5 billion fraud case related to the 737 Max crashes, but the latest incident is likely to cast a further shadow over its reputation.

Boeing has expressed condolences to Barnett's family and has stated that it is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. However, the company faces an uphill battle in rebuilding its relationship with the public and regulators after a series of controversies in recent years.