via TechCrunch
Boeing-Owned Wisk Aero Sued by Former Manager Over Safety Concerns
Wisk Aero, the electric air taxi company owned by Boeing, has been hit with a lawsuit from a former employee who alleges she was terminated after raising safety concerns. The case highlights ongoing tensions in the emerging eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) industry, which is under increasing regulatory scrutiny as it prepares for commercial operations in 2026.
Former software manager Briahna O’Neill filed the lawsuit in Santa Clara Superior Court earlier this week, accusing Wisk of discrimination and wrongful termination. The Seattle Times first reported on the legal action, noting that Boeing declined to comment.
According to O’Neill, she filed two internal safety reports detailing how Wisk instructed engineers to scale back FAA-required software testing in order to meet a 2025 test flight deadline. O’Neill claims she was fired just weeks after filing her second complaint.
Founded in 2019, Wisk is one of several companies striving to develop commercially viable autonomous eVTOL aircraft. It focuses on full autonomy, distinguishing itself from competitors that require pilots. In early 2026, Wisk was among eight companies approved by the FAA to participate in a three-year testing program, aimed at integrating eVTOL aircraft into the national airspace. This program is critical as the FAA works to finalize certification rules for electric air taxis, which are expected to begin limited commercial flights in several U.S. cities by 2026.
Wisk has not yet responded to requests for comment. The lawsuit adds to a series of whistleblower allegations against Boeing and its subsidiaries, raising questions about safety culture within the aviation giant’s supply chain.