London

A former production inspector for a Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, who reportedly worked for 12 years in the company, has raised serious concerns about the safety of Boeing aircraft. The person Known by the nickname "Showstopper", and identified as Santiago Paredes, claims that the company is producing planes with numerous defects. Paredes has described them as "ticking time bombs".

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According to a report in the New York Post, Paredes reported identified hundreds of issues in what were supposed to be finished products. 

"I saw missing parts, incomplete parts, frames with temporary clamps and missing fasteners, dents, damaged parts, cut rivets—issues that should have been fixed before reaching me," he told the New York Post. 

After leaving the company in 2022, Paredes alleged that he was pressured to minimise reports on defects because his supervisors were focused on maintaining delivery schedules. 

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His detailed reports, which earned him the nickname "Showstopper," often delayed shipments to Boeing.

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Boeing has faced significant challenges in recent years, including two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that resulted in 346 deaths. 

More recently, in January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 experienced a mid-flight incident where a door blew off. 

These incidents are part of a broader pattern of reported issues from around 20 former employees.

Also read | Boeing whistleblower John Barnett's cause of death determined to be suicide: Autopsy report

Additionally, Paredes worked with John Barnett, another Boeing whistleblower who was found dead on March 9.

Another whistleblower from Spirit AeroSystems, Joshua Dean, died suddenly in May after reportedly contracting pneumonia.

Joe Buccino, a spokesman for Spirit AeroSystems, declined to comment on specific allegations but said in a statement "We encourage anyone at Spirit with concerns or potential improvements to come forward. We have streamlined the process through a QR code scanning system on the shop floor."

(With inputs from agencies)