Boeing Whistleblowers Expose Safety Concerns: ‘Like a Ticking Timebomb’

Two former Boeing employees, Roy Irvin and Santiago Paredes, are determined to expose what they allege are dangerous practices at the aerospace giant, despite the recent deaths of twowhistleblowers.

Irvin, a former quality investigator at Boeing, and Paredes, who worked at Spirit AeroSystems, are among at least 20 whistleblowers raising concerns about safety and quality issues.

Their testimony comes after years of Boeing being dogged by whistleblower testimony and congressional investigations.

A House Transportation and Infrastructure report in 2020 highlighted that two 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 were due to repeated and serious failures by Boeing and regulators.

Roy Irvin was a quality investigator at Boeing, checking the 787 Dreamliners after they came out of the factory. He became a whistleblower after finding defects in the planes almost every day that should have been fixed beforehand.ABC News

In January, a fuselage “plug” blew off a new Alaskan Airlines Boeing 737 MAX-9 at 10,000 feet.

A whistleblower attributed the fault to missing bolts after a panel was reinstalled at Boeing’s Renton, Washington, factory.

Irvin, who worked at Boeing from 2009 to 2017, claimed he frequently encountered serious safety and quality issues on 787 Dreamliner planes.

He said he often had to be “insubordinate” to call out these problems, which included missing safety devices and untightened hardware that could lead to loss of airplane control.

“Missing safety devices on hardware or untightened hardware means that you’re not going to be able to control the airplane if those fail,” Irvin told The Post.

Paredes, who served as a production inspector at Spirit AeroSystems for 12 years before leaving in 2022, said he was appalled by the defects he saw on the production line, including missing parts and damaged components. He alleged that his bosses pressured him to minimize his reports on these defects, earning him the nickname “Showstopper” for delaying deliveries due to his write-ups. “They always said they didn’t have time to fix the mistakes. They needed to get the planes out,” Paredes said.

The deaths of two whistleblowers this year have intensified the scrutiny. John Barnett, a Boeing whistleblower, was found dead on March 9 in a hotel parking lot in South Carolina, with a silver pistol in his hand. Police ruled it a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Barnett, 62, had failed to show up for the second part of his testimony for a bombshell lawsuit against Boeing. Then, Joshua Dean, 45, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, died in early May from a fast-growing infection.

Despite these tragedies, more whistleblowers are coming forward. Brian Knowles, a Charleston, SC, attorney representing whistleblowers including Irvin and Paredes, said his law firm has fielded dozens of new calls from potential whistleblowers in recent weeks. “Most of the people we’re hearing from are current employees.

These are not disgruntled employees. In many cases they love the company. It’s not about bringing down the company – it’s about getting it back on track,” Knowles told The Post.

Boeing’s spokesperson stated, “Boeing takes very seriously any allegation of improper work or unethical behavior. We continuously encourage employees to report concerns as our priority is to ensure the safety of our airplanes and the flying public, and we will take any necessary action to ensure our airplanes meet regulatory requirements.” Employees can report concerns through Boeing’s Speak Up portal or directly to the FAA.

Spirit AeroSystems spokesman Joe Buccino said Spirit “encourages people to come forward with concerns and we’ve made it easier to do that.” However, Paredes and other whistleblowers claim that the reality inside the companies is different, with employees being retaliated against for speaking out.

Paredes detailed numerous defects he encountered, such as incomplete parts and temporary clamps. He described his fear of seeing a plane he inspected suffer a malfunction in the air, calling the situation a “nightmare.” His bosses, he alleged, would pressure him to keep his reports to a minimum. “Everything I was seeing was like a ticking time bomb,” Paredes said.

The ongoing scrutiny of Boeing’s practices underscores the critical importance of safety and quality control in the aerospace industry. Irvin and Paredes’s allegations highlight the potential risks associated with lapses in these areas, and their testimonies are part of a broader pattern of complaints and investigations that have plagued Boeing in recent years.

The company’s reputation has been severely damaged by the 737 MAX crashes and subsequent scrutiny over its manufacturing practices. As Boeing continues to face scrutiny, the voices of these whistleblowers may play a crucial role in driving necessary reforms within the company.

Irvin and Paredes remain resolute in their mission to expose what they believe are ongoing safety issues. Irvin, who worked closely with Barnett, expressed disbelief over Barnett’s death, suggesting it didn’t add up. He mentioned being cautious about his own safety but emphasized his commitment to exposing the truth.

The stories of Irvin and Paredes illustrate the challenges and risks faced by those who blow the whistle on unsafe practices. Their courage and determination to expose these issues serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of accountability in the aerospace industry.

Ultimately, the resolution of these safety concerns is essential not just for Boeing’s future but for the safety of passengers and the aviation industry as a whole. The allegations made by these whistleblowers highlight the urgent need for transparency and rigorous quality control.

The developments at Boeing serve as a cautionary tale for the industry, emphasizing that cutting corners on safety and quality can have devastating consequences. As investigations continue, the hope is that the lessons learned will lead to lasting improvements and prevent future tragedies.

Ensuring the integrity of Boeing’s manufacturing processes is vital for restoring trust in the company. The whistleblowers’ testimonies could potentially lead to significant changes in how Boeing addresses safety and quality issues, ensuring that such problems are prevented in the future.

The courage of individuals like Irvin and Paredes to come forward, despite personal risks, reflects a broader commitment to aviation safety. Their willingness to speak out against unsafe practices highlights the critical role whistleblowers play in maintaining high standards within the industry.

As the investigations into Boeing continue, it is crucial that the company takes the necessary steps to address these concerns and implement lasting improvements to ensure the safety of its aircraft and the flying public.