Whistleblowers Are Dismissed, Face Retaliation and Frustration

For whistleblowers in the aviation industry, exposing safety issues often leads to professional and personal turmoil rather than resolution. Santiago Paredes, a former quality inspector at Spirit AeroSystems, found this out the hard way.

After raising concerns about flawed fuselages and incomplete Boeing MAX bodies during the pandemic, he faced backlash from his employer and little action from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). His whistleblowing efforts came at great cost—job loss, reputation damage, and financial strain.

The FAA’s whistleblower program, supposedly designed to encourage reporting of safety concerns, has proven incredibly ineffective. From 2020 to 2023, over 90% of safety complaints were dismissed without finding violations. Many were rejected during preliminary reviews for lacking sufficient information or repeating existing allegations. Even valid complaints often result in whistleblowers facing retaliation, job loss, and social struggles.

Paredes’ story is one of many. Despite leaving his job, he claims Spirit AeroSystems continued to interfere with his new employment. Anonymous whistleblowers often find their identities leaked, leading to further backlash.

The FAA’s system unusually requires rulings to pass through its legal office rather than independent oversight. In response, some whistleblowers bypass the FAA entirely, turning to lawsuits or alternative legal avenues.

High-profile incidents, such as the 737 MAX crashes, spotlighted the FAA’s lax regulation and Boeing’s disregard for worker concerns. Despite legislative reforms, whistleblowers report little improvement in the culture of exclusion and retaliation.

For Paredes, speaking out remains a priority. “I reminded myself why I’m doing this: The safety of thousands of people who fly in these planes,” he stated. “Compared to my life, that would be a good trade if it meant changes in the way they build these planes. It’s worth the fight.”

FMI: www.faa.gov