Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, a Boeing supplier, passed away at the age of 45 after battling a sudden and severe infection. Known for his role as a whistleblower regarding manufacturing defects in the 737 MAX aircraft, Dean had been in critical condition for the past two weeks leading up to his death.
Described as a person who maintained a healthy lifestyle, Dean's sudden illness came as a shock to his family and colleagues. He was initially hospitalized due to breathing difficulties and subsequently developed pneumonia and a severe bacterial infection. Despite medical interventions, including being placed on an ECMO machine and undergoing dialysis, Dean's condition continued to worsen. Ultimately, he suffered a stroke, and doctors considered the possibility of amputating both his hands and feet.
Dean began working at Spirit AeroSystems in 2019 as a mechanical engineer and returned to the company in May 2021 as a quality auditor. In October 2022, he raised concerns about a significant manufacturing defect involving improper drilling in the aft pressure bulkhead of the 737 MAX. Despite his efforts to alert management to this issue, no action was taken. Subsequently, Dean was terminated from his position after a separate manufacturing flaw was discovered, which caused a delivery pause at Boeing's Renton plant.
Following his termination, Dean filed a safety complaint with the FAA, alleging that Spirit had misrepresented the extent of the defects to regulatory authorities. The FAA later confirmed that Dean's allegations had substance, though the specifics of their investigation were not disclosed. In November, Dean filed a whistleblower complaint with the Department of Labor, citing wrongful termination and misconduct by senior-level managers at Spirit AeroSystems.
Despite the challenges he faced, Dean remained committed to raising awareness about safety issues in aircraft manufacturing. After leaving Spirit, he briefly worked at Boeing Wichita before transitioning to another company. His passing marks the loss of a dedicated advocate for quality and safety in the aerospace industry.
