Biography
John DeLeeuw took the oath of office as the 49th member of NTSB on March 16, 2026.
Member DeLeeuw brings more than three decades of experience in aviation operations, safety management, and accident investigation.
Before joining NTSB, Member DeLeeuw served as managing director of safety and efficiency at American Airlines, where he oversaw the airline’s safety assurance programs, including Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA), fatigue risk management, and other initiatives supporting the airline’s safety management system. He also led air safety investigations and emergency planning and response activities.
Over his 33-year flying career, Member DeLeeuw has accumulated more than 19,000 flight hours and served as a Boeing 787 captain flying domestic and international operations. He also flew the Boeing 727 and MD-80 and served as the airline’s party coordinator during NTSB investigations.
Military Service
Earlier in his career, Member DeLeeuw was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, where he flew the C-130 Hercules as an instructor and evaluator pilot. His military service included operations during Desert Storm and special operations missions supporting U.S. Army Special Forces and Navy SEAL teams.
Education
Member DeLeeuw earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree in operations management from the University of Arkansas. He also completed graduate studies in aviation safety and security at the University of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering.
