NTSB Member Fired by Trump Administration Without Explanation

Todd Inman says he received notice of termination from the White House with no reason given.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A member of the National Transportation Safety Board, Todd Inman, says he was fired by the Trump administration without any explanation. Inman, who was a public face of the investigation into last year's deadly collision of an airliner and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., received notice of his termination from the White House personnel office on Friday. The NTSB currently has only three members, down from the usual five, after the abrupt removal of the board's vice chair, Alvin Brown, last year.

Why it matters

The NTSB is an independent agency tasked by Congress with investigating major transportation accidents to determine their causes and make recommendations to improve safety. Inman's dismissal without explanation raises concerns about potential political interference in the NTSB's work, which is meant to be free from such influence.

The details

Inman was the lead board member on the investigation into last year's crash of a UPS cargo plane in Kentucky that killed 15 people, as well as the investigation into the January 2025 midair collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people. In his statement, Inman praised the NTSB staff and investigators as 'world class' and expressed hope that the agency would 'stay true to its roots and culture as the preeminent safety organization unimpeded by political or personal agendas'.

  • On Friday, March 6, 2026, Inman received notice from the White House personnel office that his position on the NTSB was 'terminated effective immediately'.
  • In 2025, the NTSB's vice chair, Alvin Brown, was abruptly removed from the board.

The players

Todd Inman

A member of the National Transportation Safety Board who was a public face of the investigation into last year's deadly collision of an airliner and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C.

Alvin Brown

The former vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, who was abruptly removed from the board last year.

Robert Primus

A former member of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, who was fired along with Alvin Brown and has challenged the firing in court.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose administration fired Inman and previously removed Alvin Brown and Robert Primus from their positions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My only hope is that the NTSB leadership and those who control it stay true to its roots and culture as the preeminent safety organization unimpeded by political or personal agendas.”

— Todd Inman, NTSB Member (Associated Press)

What’s next

Inman and the group Democracy Forward have filed discrimination claims over the firings of Alvin Brown and Robert Primus, and it is likely that Inman will also challenge his dismissal in court.

The takeaway

The firing of NTSB members without explanation raises concerns about potential political interference in the agency's independent work to investigate transportation accidents and make safety recommendations. This case highlights the importance of maintaining the NTSB's integrity and insulating it from partisan influence, which is crucial for protecting the traveling public.