Lawsuit Alleges Retaliation Against Whistleblower
Boeing-owned electric air taxi company Wisk Aero has been hit with a lawsuit from a former employee, who claims she was fired after raising safety concerns. Former software manager Briahna O’Neill sued Wisk in Santa Clara Superior Court earlier this week, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination. The Seattle Times reported the lawsuit, noting that Boeing declined to comment.
Safety Reports Highlight Reduced Testing
O’Neill said she filed two internal safety reports that outlined how Wisk had engineers reduce the amount of FAA-required software testing being done in order to hit a test flight deadline in 2025. O’Neill claims she was fired just weeks after filing the second complaint.
Wisk’s Position in the eVTOL Industry
Founded in 2019, Wisk is one of a number of companies trying to develop commercially viable electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. It’s one of the few companies working on aiming for full autonomy. Wisk is also one of the eight companies that were selected by the FAA to join a three-year program for testing such aircraft.
Company and Boeing Response
Wisk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Boeing, the parent company, declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Implications for Air Taxi Safety Standards
The lawsuit raises questions about safety oversight in the rapidly developing eVTOL industry. As companies push toward certification and commercial operations, whistleblower claims like O’Neill’s could prompt greater scrutiny from regulators and the public.