Boeing whistleblowers want fliers to be safe. But those whistleblowers should feel safe, too
Air passengers deserve to feel safe.
Sam Salehpour is warning us, though, that maybe we aren’t safe after all.
Salehpour, a longtime Boeing engineer, this week became the latest to raise concerns about the safety of Boeing’s planes. According to Salehpour, parts of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner planes are improperly fastened together and could weaken over time. The result? After years in operation, the aircraft could break apart in midflight.
On Wednesday, April 17, Salehpour and fellow Boeing whistleblower Ed Pierson testified to members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs about aviation safety. Salehpour spoke in detail about the safety and quality concerns he had about the company, and the threats he received when trying to report it.
Like Pierson and at least six whistleblowers before him, Boeing not only ignored Salepour’s concerns, but it also reportedly retaliated against him for raising them. Salepour told committee members that, since 2021, multiple colleagues have told him that they shared his concerns at Boeing, but most have not come forward like he did due to fear.
Salehpour’s disclosures come one month after the sudden death of John Barnett, another longtime Boeing employee who raised safety concerns. Barnett’s family says Barnett also suffered retaliation.
“Instead of intimidating and harassing its employees, Boeing should focus on making safer airplanes,” said TSN Legal Director Jennifer Gibson on Wednesday. “Sam Salehpour’s testimony to Congress is just the latest development in a saga of issues. At least seven whistleblowers have raised concerns since 2019. Who knows how many lives might have been saved if Boeing had listened?
“Good companies understand whistleblowers are friends not foes. It’s past time Boeing start listening so it can learn from its mistakes. The safety of every passenger depends on it.”
These whistleblowers should be celebrated for keeping us safe, not punished for trying to save lives.
For each whistleblower who risked everything to speak out, there are others who anonymously raised concerns. And still more who were chilled from doing so.
That’s why TSN has created this petition so that Salehpour, Pierson and all the other Boeing whistleblowers know that we stand with them. And we thank them for having the courage to speak up in the protection of all of us.
About TSN
TSN is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting whistleblowers who risk their livelihoods to share public interest information with the press. Founded in 2017 by journalists, whistleblowers and lawyers, TSN operates internationally to hold powerful interests accountable. TSN provides customized support to a selected group of whistleblowers who have contributed to published reports of significant wrongdoing. This support may include legal, psychological, physical safety, temporary safe-housing, online safety, career support and communication support.
For journalist inquiries, email sarah@thesignalsnetwork.org.
