NTSB Member Todd Inman Terminated by White House

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman has departed the agency, informed by the White House Presidential Personnel Office that his employment was terminated on behalf of President Trump. Inman, who was two years into his term, stated he had not received a reason for the termination. The NTSB referred all inquiries regarding the matter to the White House.

Inman's Background and Service

Appointed by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate in March 2024, Todd Inman previously served as a Department of Transportation official during Mr. Trump's first term. He recently played a significant public role as the NTSB's initial on-scene spokesman following a midair collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport in January that resulted in 67 fatalities aboard two aircraft.

In a statement, Inman described his service on the NTSB board as an honor, noting his involvement in two major aviation incidents over two decades. He mentioned that witnessing these events had impacted him and his family, and altered his perspective on safety regulation.

Precedent for Board Member Terminations

This instance marks a second such event involving the NTSB. The Trump administration previously terminated another Biden-appointed NTSB member, former vice chairman Alvin Brown, in May 2025. John Deleeuw was confirmed as Brown's replacement in February.

About the National Transportation Safety Board

The NTSB is an independent agency composed of five board members. Its core responsibilities include investigating fatal general aviation accidents, commercial accidents, and significant transportation and pipeline accidents. The board's crucial role is to determine probable causes and issue safety recommendations, though it does not enact regulations.