The Seattle Times reported that the 45-year-old succumbed to a "sudden, fast-spreading infection" on Tuesday. Dean had previously worked at Spirit AeroSystems, a supplier for Boeing, and was based in Wichita, Kansas.
Dean's untimely death follows a two-week struggle in critical condition, despite leading a healthy and active lifestyle. His aunt revealed that he was admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties. His condition deteriorated rapidly, developing into pneumonia and a severe bacterial infection. He was subsequently transferred to a hospital in Oklahoma City, where he was placed on a machine to support his heart and lung functions.
In his professional capacity, Dean had lodged a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accusing senior quality management of the 737 production line at Spirit AeroSystems of "serious and gross misconduct". He also provided a deposition in a shareholder lawsuit against Spirit. After his termination from Spirit in 2023, Dean filed a complaint with the US Department of Labor, alleging that his dismissal was a direct result of his safety concerns.
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Dean's revelations were not limited to Spirit AeroSystems. In October 2022, he discovered that mechanics had been improperly drilling holes in the aft pressure bulkhead of the MAX. Despite reporting this to his superiors, he claimed that no action was taken. Dean believed that his focus on this issue led him to overlook a manufacturing flaw in the fittings attaching the plane's vertical fin to the fuselage during the same audit. This oversight, he alleged, resulted in his termination after the discovery prompted a halt in manufacturing at Boeing's Renton facility.
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Shortly after his dismissal, Spirit announced the discovery of incorrectly drilled holes in the MAX's aft pressure bulkhead, leading to another pause in production at the Renton plant. Dean then lodged a safety complaint with the FAA, accusing Spirit of lying about the aft pressure bulkhead defects and using him as a scapegoat. He wrote in his complaint, "After I was fired, Spirit AeroSystems [initially] did nothing to inform the FAA, and the public."
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The FAA responded to Dean's complaint in November with a letter stating that it had concluded its investigation. However, the agency did not disclose its findings. Undeterred, Dean filed a whistleblower complaint with the US Department of Labor, alleging "gross misconduct of senior level Spirit AeroSystems Quality Managers" and wrongful termination.
Dean's allegations were partially confirmed by a former coworker at Spirit following a mid-flight door plug failure on a Boeing 737 MAX in January. Dean was represented by the same South Carolina law firm that represented another Boeing whistleblower, John "Mitch" Barnett. Barnett, who alleged that Boeing retaliated against him after he complained about quality lapses, was found dead from an apparent suicide earlier this year while giving depositions. The investigation into his death remains active.
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