National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham has been elevated to the position of vice chairman, the agency announced Friday.
President Donald Trump made the designation this week, giving Graham a three-year term in the new role. Trump appointed Graham to the NTSB during his first term as president, with Graham officially joining in 2020.
“I want to thank the president for this designation, as well as my fellow board members and NTSB staff who have supported me throughout my time at the board,” Graham said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to serve in this new role and fulfilling the NTSB’s mission of improving safety across all modes of transportation.”
According to the NTSB, Graham has served as the member on scene for many high-profile, transportation-related accidents over the last several years, including the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the 2022 Wings Over Dallas midair collision.
![Michael Graham [Credit: NTSB]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-03-at-12.59.11-PM.png)
Graham is a certified airline transport pilot with more than 10,000 flight hours. Prior to joining the NTSB, he served as director of flight operations safety, security, and standardization at Textron Aviation.
He also served as chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation and contributed to safety working groups within the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
Over the last year, Trump has fired two NTSB members—former vice chairman Alvin Brown and former member Todd Inman.
An administration spokesperson said Inman was dismissed over misconduct in office, allegations that Inman denies.
The White House has never explained why it removed Brown. He is challenging his dismissal in court.
In March, Trump appointee John DeLeeuw was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the newest member of the NTSB.
