White House Removes NTSB Member Amid Misconduct Claims, Faces Legal Challenge

Why It Matters The White House fired National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman on March 6, citing serious misconduct allegations. This action impacts leadership at the agency responsible for investigating major transportation accidents affecting drivers, pilots, and the public. Key Details The Trump administration said Inman engaged in inappropriate alcohol use on the job, harassed staff, misused government resources, and missed at least half of NTSB meetings. Inman flatly denied all allegations and announced plans to pursue legal action, calling the firing a political hit job. What's Next Inman's term was supposed to continue through 2027, but he will now defend his reputation through legal means. American Airlines executive John DeLeeuw was recently confirmed by the Senate and will become the fourth board member. The NTSB currently has three confirmed members on its roster. Investigation Impact The board is handling over 1,000 active cases and makes critical safety recommendations based on major incident investigations. Inman previously led investigations into a deadly midair collision near Washington D.C. that killed 67 people and a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky that killed 15.