A former quality auditor at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, who had raised grave concerns about the manufacturing defects in its 737 MAX model, died after battling a sudden and "fast-spreading infection", The Seattle Times reported. Joshua Dean, 45, who was popular for his physical appearance and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, fell ill around two weeks ago. According to the report, his health condition plunged into serious, which led to his sudden death.
Quoting Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino, the Seattle Times reported," Our thoughts are with Josh Dean’s family. This sudden loss is stunning news here and for his loved ones.
Dean had given a deposition in a Spirit shareholder lawsuit and also filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration alleging “serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line” at Spirit.
This came nearly two months after a former Boeing employee who previously raised concerns about the company's production standards was found dead in the United States. John Barnett had worked for Boeing for 32 years, until his retirement in 2017, and gave evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the aircraft manufacturing giant, according to a report by BBC.
Notably, the deaths of two former officials came as Boeing and its supplier face intense scrutiny over production standards following an incident in January, where an unused emergency exit door of a Boeing 737 Max blew off mid-air after taking off from Portland International Airport.
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