Electric air taxi developer Wisk Aero, owned by Boeing, is facing a lawsuit from former software manager Briahna O'Neill, who says she was dismissed after raising internal safety concerns.
According to the complaint filed in Santa Clara Superior Court, O'Neill alleges discrimination and wrongful termination. She claims she submitted two internal reports warning that engineers had reduced some of the FAA-required software testing to keep a 2025 test-flight schedule on track.
Wisk, founded in 2019, is among the companies working on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, with a strong focus on autonomous flight systems. Earlier this year, the company was selected by the FAA for a three-year testing program alongside seven other developers in the sector.
The case places a spotlight on how emerging aviation companies balance speed, certification, and safety as they move closer to commercial deployment. The outcome could help shape future standards for autonomous air mobility.
