Senate Confirms DeLeeuw For NTSB Seat

The U.S. Senate confirmed long-time American Airlines flight operations executive John DeLeeuw as the NTSB's newest member, filling the spot vacated when Alvin Brown was removed last May.

 

DeLeeuw, nominated by President Donald Trump in September, brings significant air transport safety experience to the investigative body. He serves as American's managing director of safety and efficiency, overseeing core safety programs that include the airline's flight operations quality assurance, line operations safety audit and learning and improvement team programs. He also was national safety chair for the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents American's pilots, and led American's accident investigation team.

 

A former U.S. Air Force pilot, DeLeeuw also brings perspective gained from his military service as well as more than three decades of line-flying experience at American, most recently as a Boeing 787 captain. His wide-ranging experience and capabilities generated support from across the industry.

 

"Captain DeLeeuw’s insights into the operational realities of aviation, combined with his analytical approach to safety and risk management, will be a valuable complement to the NTSB’s mission," APA said in a statement of support provided during the nomination process.

 

"John is a strong safety advocate who works openly and collaboratively with all stakeholders to continuously improve safety across our industry," Southwest Airlines said.

 

DeLeeuw's 19,000 flight hours "on a variety of aircraft, including the C-130, the 727, MD-80 and the 787, give him a practical understanding of human factors and the operational realities that influence transportation safety operations," Boeing said.

 

The Senate vote was 50-45 along party lines, with Republicans casting all 50 “yes” votes.

 

DeLeeuw will serve out the remainder of Brown's term, which ends in December 2026. He joins Chair Jennifer Homendy and members Thomas Chapman, Michael Graham and Todd Inman on the five-person board.

 

Brown, a former mayor of Jacksonville, Fla., was added to the board under the Biden administration in April 2024, but was removed 13 months later by Trump without explanation.

 

Brown sued Trump and the NTSB in Washington, D.C., district court last June seeking reinstatement. The suit is pending.

 

Senate Democrats contend Brown's removal was unlawful and urged their Republican colleagues to hold off on advancing DeLeeuw's nomination until the case concludes.