NTSB Member Fired by Trump Administration Without Explanation

Todd Inman says he was terminated from the safety board despite leading high-profile investigations.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Todd Inman, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said he was fired by the Trump administration without any explanation. Inman was a public face of the investigation into last year's deadly collision of an airliner and an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C. He also led the probe into a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky that killed 15 people. Inman praised the NTSB staff and investigators, and expressed hope that the agency would remain independent and focused on its mission of improving transportation safety.

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 prevent similar incidents. Inman's firing without explanation raises concerns about potential political interference in the agency's work, which could undermine public trust in the NTSB's ability to conduct thorough, unbiased investigations.

The details

Inman said he received notice on Friday from the White House personnel office that his position on the NTSB was "terminated effective immediately." He said he had not yet received a reason for his firing. The NTSB's website showed only three board members on Sunday, down from the usual five. The board's vice chair, Alvin Brown, was also abruptly removed last year, along with another board member, Robert Primus, both of whom were Black. Brown and Primus have challenged their firings in court, alleging discrimination.

  • Inman received notice of his termination on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • The January 2025 midair collision between a passenger jet and Army helicopter that Inman investigated killed 67 people.
  • Inman also led the investigation into a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky in 2025 that killed 15 people.

The players

Todd Inman

A member of the National Transportation Safety Board who was a public face of the investigation into the 2025 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 his position last year.

Robert Primus

A former member of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, who was also fired last year along with Alvin Brown.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, whose administration terminated Inman's position on the NTSB.

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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, Former NTSB Member

What’s next

Inman and the other former NTSB members who were fired, Alvin Brown and Robert Primus, are expected to continue challenging their dismissals in court, alleging discrimination.

The takeaway

The sudden firings of NTSB members by the Trump administration, without clear explanations, raise concerns about potential political interference in the agency's independent investigations of major transportation accidents. This could undermine public trust in the NTSB's ability to fulfill its critical mission of improving safety and preventing future tragedies.