Family of Boeing Whistleblower Accuses Company of Harassment Before His Tragic Suicide

The family of John Barnett, a former Boeing quality control manager, has filed a lawsuit against the aviation giant, claiming the company subjected him to severe harassment and intimidation before he tragically took his own life.

Barnett, 62, died by suicide on March 9, 2024, in Charleston, South Carolina, after enduring days of intense questioning by attorneys regarding his whistleblowing claims about safety defects in Boeing’s aircraft.

John Barnett, a former Boeing quality manager, at his home in Goose Creek, S.C., on April 6, 2019.

Family's Lawsuit: Allegations of Harassment and Intimidation

In the lawsuit filed in federal court, Barnett’s family accuses Boeing of orchestrating a "campaign of harassment, abuse, and intimidation" aimed at discrediting and humiliating him. The family claims the company deliberately pressured Barnett in hopes of forcing him to abandon his claims or damaging his credibility.

"Boeing had threatened to break John, and break him it did," the lawsuit states.

Boeing has yet to respond in court but released a statement expressing condolences:

“We are saddened by John Barnett's death and extend our sympathies to his family."

Barnett's Whistleblowing: Concerns About Boeing's Safety Standards

Barnett worked at Boeing for 32 years, retiring in 2017 as a quality control manager. During his time at Boeing's South Carolina plant, he raised serious safety concerns, including:

• Metal shavings near flight control wiring, which he feared could cut the wires and lead to in-flight failures.

• Faulty oxygen systems on Boeing's 787 Dreamliner planes, with as many as 25% of units potentially failing during emergencies.

Despite raising these issues with supervisors, Barnett claimed his warnings were ignored. Instead of addressing the concerns, Boeing allegedly retaliated by giving him poor performance reviews, assigning him undesirable shifts, and blaming him for production delays.

Impact on Barnett's Mental Health

The lawsuit states that Boeing’s actions took a severe toll on Barnett's mental health. His family revealed that he was diagnosed with PTSD and suffered from depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, which worsened over time.

“Whether or not Boeing intended to drive John to his death or merely destroy his ability to function, it was absolutely foreseeable that PTSD and John’s unbearable depression... would lead to an elevated risk of suicide,” the lawsuit states.

Boeing's Safety Issues Under Scrutiny

Barnett’s case adds to the mounting scrutiny Boeing is facing regarding its safety practices. In January 2024, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 suffered a mid-flight door panel blowout, further tarnishing Boeing’s safety record. Following the incident, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report revealed that Boeing had “a lack of awareness of safety-related metrics at all levels” and struggled with maintaining quality control standards.

Family Seeks Compensation

Barnett’s family, including his mother Vicky Stokes and two other relatives, is seeking compensation for:

• Emotional distress and mental anguish.

• Lost income (including 10 years of potential earnings, bonuses, and back pay).

• Health expenses and the loss of his life insurance benefits.

The lawsuit does not specify the exact amount of damages but aims to hold Boeing accountable for its alleged role in Barnett’s tragic death.