Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing, premiering August 19, follows Rory Kennedy’s probe into Boeing’s Charleston plant, where workers reportedly feared flying on Dreamliners. Barnett, a former quality manager, had warned oxygen systems could fail-an issue later confirmed during the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 door-plug blowout in January 2024. His death preceded his third deposition day.
The film is a sequel to 2022’s Downfall, which covered the 737 MAX crashes. United Airlines found similar door-plug installation issues during inspections. Charleston police ruled Barnett’s death a suicide after personal distress; conspiracy theories were debunked. The documentary includes testimony from insiders who faced retaliation for speaking up.
Why it matters
Travelers may face heightened risk if unresolved manufacturing flaws persist in active fleets. Airlines must now reinspect MAX 9s, potentially causing delays or grounding while regulators assess whether prior warnings were ignored by Boeing management.
Manhattan prosecutors asked a judge Monday to correct what they called false claims by Luigi Mangione's defense team about media access to his upcoming murder trial and remind the attorneys of the...