Elon Musk’s Efficiency Initiative Assigned to Review NTSB Operations

A team from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has reportedly been assigned to conduct a review of National Transportation Safety Board operations. The group has completed several of these reviews since its formation, leaving a trail of employee terminations in its wake.

The Federal Aviation Administration is just one of many to feel the effects of the DOGE reviews. In February, upwards of 400 personnel were let go from aviation safety assistant, maintenance mechanic, nautical information specialist, and various other positions. While these weren’t classified as “critical safety” roles, many provide direct support to those who are.

“We protected roles that are critical to safety,” Department of Transportation spokesperson Halee Dobbins explained. “On the layoffs, these were probationary employees — meaning they had only been at the FAA for less than two years, represented less than 1% of FAA’s more than 45,000 employees.”

Luckily, it seems that the NTSB has been safe from the government job cuts and is exempt from DOGE’s widespread buyout offer. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy claimed that "the Trump administration has recognized the critical role that the NTSB and its workforce plays,” and has left it alone as a result. It is unknown how or if the review will change this perspective.

With upwards of 1,300 active accident investigations, however, the NTSB has no hands to spare. The agency is actually looking to increase staffing to around 485-500 and has requested a higher budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

“The NTSB runs lean; we always have. We have just 430 employees to carry out our mission and are authorized by Congress to go up to 450, though we would need significantly more than that to truly be fully staffed,” Homendy explained.

Though the 67-fatality mid-air collision in January is likely the first accident that comes to mind for many, the NTSB also has several high-profile accidents on its plate outside of aviation. This includes the collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge in 2024 and various train derailments.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov