NTSB Shake-Up: Todd Inman Fired as Controversy Unfolds

Todd Inman, a Republican ex-member of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, was dismissed by the White House last Friday without explanation. Inman, who served as chief of staff under Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao during Trump’s administration, joined the NTSB in April 2024.

His tenure saw his involvement in investigations of serious transport incidents, including the fatal American Airlines and Army helicopter collision in January 2025, resulting in 67 deaths, and a UPS cargo plane crash in November that claimed 15 lives. Requests for comment from the White House remain unanswered, and Inman has since been removed from the NTSB website.

This dismissal is part of a broader reshuffle at the NTSB, including the earlier firing of NTSB Vice Chair Alvin Brown, a Democrat, prompting legal scrutiny. The board is tasked with probing significant transport accidents, providing safety recommendations, and brokering measures toward safer public travel. Recently, John DeLeeuw was confirmed to replace Brown at the NTSB.