NTSB Member Michael Graham Named Vice Chairman

​​Vice Chairman Michael Graham​.

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) last week announced that Michael Graham, the 45th member of the National Transportation Safety Board, was designated by President Trump to serve as NTSB vice chairman for a three-year term.

Graham was initially appointed to the NTSB on January 3, 2020 by President Trump. Prior to his service on the Board, Graham served as director of flight operations safety, security and standardization at Textron Aviation, where he oversaw the company’s safety management system, emergency response planning, air safety investigations and airport operations.

Upon his appointment as Vice Chairman, Graham said “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. 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.”

Graham’s time on the Board has seen some significant accidents, where he served as the member on the scene. Among these was the May 2025 accident involving a Mexican naval vessel striking the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City; the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio; the November 2022 Wings Over Dallas midair collision; and the October 2021 MD-87 runway excursion in Brookshire, Texas.

Graham’s work has also included advocating for connected vehicle technology and reducing distracted driving on our nation’s roads. A pilot by background, he has also played a key role in supporting the NTSB’s efforts to implement flight data monitoring recommendations and to promote the broader adoption of safety management systems (SMS) across all modes of transportation.

Before joining the NTSB, Graham also served as chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation and contributed to safety working groups within the National Business Aviation Association. He also received the Flight Safety Foundation’s 2019 Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award.

Graham holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico and is a certified airline transport pilot with more than 10,000 flight hours.

See Graham’s full biography for more information.