A high-profile member of the National Transportation Safety Board has been fired by the White House after reports alleging misconduct, harassment of staff, and misuse of government resources.
The dismissal of NTSB board member Todd Inman was confirmed Monday by White House spokesman Kush Desai, who said the decision followed “highly concerning” reports about his behavior while serving on the independent accident investigation agency.
“The White House lawfully removed Todd Inman from the NTSB after receiving highly concerning reports of inappropriate alcohol use on the job, harassment of staff, misuse of government resources, and failure to attend at least half of NTSB meetings,” Desai told the Washington Examiner. “The Trump administration remains committed to maintaining safety and security for Americans in the air and on the ground.”
Inman, a Republican, was originally unaware of the reason for his termination, but later denied the allegations made by the White House, according to multiple reports.
Inman joined the NTSB in 2024 after being appointed by former President Joe Biden, and his firing comes just shy of two years into his five-year term. He was also the chief of staff for the Department of Transportation during President Donald Trump‘s first term.
During his two years on the board, Inman was the on-scene board member in several high-profile aviation accidents, including a deadly 2025 midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people.
He also played a key role in the investigation of a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville that killed 15 people.
The NTSB consists of five members and is an independent federal agency responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and major transportation incidents across rail, highway, marine, and pipeline systems. The board determines probable causes and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future disasters.
Inman’s removal comes amid broader scrutiny of leadership challenges at the agency. The White House dismissed NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown last year, a move that was unusual for an independent board member.
Brown has since taken legal action against the NTSB and White House, alleging that he was wrongfully terminated. He was also appointed by Biden at the same time as Inman.
Days before Inman’s firing, the Senate confirmed former American Airlines safety chief John Deleeuw to serve as the fifth board member.
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Inman’s departure means the board will again be operating with fewer members than its authorized five seats.
The president nominates NTSB members, and they are later confirmed by the Senate.
