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After serving the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) through the investigation of two of the most catastrophic aviation accidents in American history, the Trump Administration fired Todd Inman without cause or explanation. As the on-scene investigative work wraps up and the NTSB prepares its final evaluations of the causes and lessons learned, a replacement was rapidly installed: a former American Airlines safety executive.
Todd Inman was assigned to the NTSB board in 2024 and led the on-scene investigations of two of the greatest aviation tragedies in modern history. The Air Current reported that while Inman was chosen to be a board member by the NTSB, the Senate confirmation of John Deleeuw as his replacement was executed in nearly simultaneous timing with the unexplained termination.
NTSB On The Ground: Todd Inman
Inman was one of the NTSB’s on-scene leaders for both the investigation of the 2025 mid-air collision over the Potomac River that killed 67 Americans and the UPS MD-11 cargo jet crash that killed 15 people after takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky, last year. These two accidents from 2025 represent some of the worst mishaps in the history of American aviation and are by far the most deadly and catastrophic in recent history.
Inman was the lead board member for the investigation into the collision between American Airlines’ subsidiary PSA Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army UH-60 Black Hawk over 
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) outside Washington, DC. He managed the recovery of three ‘black box’ flight data recorders and coordinated with the FAA and the Army to secure crucial evidence. Inman specifically questioned the accuracy of barometric altimeters in Army helicopters and criticized the FAA’s oversight of the DCA airspace.
Despite the unprofessional and abrupt manner in which Inman was dismissed, for reasons which remain to be stated, he described his service to the NTSB board as ‘an honor,’ remarking to CBS News:
“Having been the member on scene… working with all of the impacted families and first responders has made me appreciate how the original mission of the NTSB is more crucial now than ever before.”
The Petulant President’s Reign
Todd Inman was abruptly fired by the Trump Administration only two years into his five-year term. Todd Inman was appointed by the presidential administration of President Biden, which already put the target on his back under the reign of the Trump Administration. The new cabinet has sought to remove and replace as many government officials selected by Biden as possible as part of an unprecedented personal vendetta by the current Commander-in-Chief against his predecessor.
The questionable and objectionable manner in which John DeLeeuw was installed as the replacement NTSB Board Member, unfortunately, does not do justice to his background. His most recent experience as the Managing Director of Safety and Efficiency at 
American Airlines reinforces the appearance of ongoing corporatization of the US federal government. Yet, DeLeeuw is also a former Boeing 787 Dreamliner Captain with 19,000 accident-free flight hours and, before that, a US Air Force C-130 pilot who flew in Desert Storm combat ops.
DeLeeuw’s resume starkly contrasts with Inman, who spent 20 years building a career as a State Farm Special Investigator before becoming a civil servant. Inman served as a Secretary of the state of Florida after his tenure with State Farm, which led to his selection as Chief of Staff to the US Department of Transportation. He managed a $89 billion budget and 55,000 employees at the DOT before being appointed by former President Biden to the NTSB.
FAA Shuts Down DC’s Low-Altitude Helicopter Corridor Indefinitely
NTSB said all black boxes are recovered. The Black Hawk’s black box shows no exterior damage, and CRJ’s flight data recorder is in good condition.
The Revolving Door Of Trump’s Government
American Airlines is still under investigation as part of the 2025 Potomac River Collision. The appointment of a former executive from the airline to the federal agency currently overseeing the review of its involvement in the mishap has raised criticism. Specifically, concerns focus on the fact that the board’s findings may be softened to protect industry profits or reputation rather than prioritizing Public Safety.
Todd Inman had an independent insurance investigation and a civil service background that made it clear he had no entanglements with interested parties. This outsider perspective is considered a crucial element for any professional investigator, particularly on landmark cases such as Flight 5342 and the UPS MD-11 crash that took place in 2025.
Senator Maria Cantwell has previously stated that the removal of independent members of agencies like the NTSB without cause was an abuse of power by the president’s administration. She has also gon on the record to describe the actions of the current ruling party during the investigation process as breaching the duty of the American government to prioritize traveler safety and public confidence in the NTSB’s work.
