Yet another Boeing airplane suffered damage mid-flight, this time during a short trip from San Francisco to Medford, Oregon. Before takeoff, the plane was inspected, and everything came back normal. Upon landing in Medford, inspectors realized a large panel was missing from the plane. It is not currently known how or when the panel flew off. A runway sweep was conducted in Medford, and no debris from the panel was found. This is another incident in a string of incidents plaguing Boeing planes in the past few days and weeks. About a week ago, a tire fell off the landing gear of a Boeing plane shortly after takeoff.
John Barnett, a former longtime Boeing employee, was set to testify against the company earlier this month as a whistleblower. He was found dead in his hotel room on the morning his private testimony was set to take place. Reports say that Barnett suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and he was found with a pistol in his hand. People close to him say he would not have done this to himself. A friend of Barnett’s told local news outlets that he said he would not do it to himself if anything ever happened to him.
SOURCES:
United Airlines has turbulent week of airplane incidents, all with Boeing aircraft – YouTube
Boeing United Airlines flight LOSES a panel mid-air before landing in Oregon, the latest in a lengthy list of safety incidents for the embattled aviation giant | Daily Mail Online
Latest Boeing mishap
United Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane lands in Medford, Oregon with missing external panel after taking off from SFO – ABC7 San Francisco
Boeing whistleblower John Barnett ‘made powerful enemies’ before alleged suicide, workers warn
The Boeing whistleblower’s death is a tragic reminder that society still expects people like John Barnett to become martyrs | Fortune
Dead Boeing whistleblower John Barnett said not to believe it was suicide
Boeing whistleblower reportedly found dead | Fox Business
Boeing Whistleblower Who Raised Quality Concerns Is Found Dead – The New York Times
