NTSB Names New Directors of Highway Safety and Research and Engineering…

​WASHINGTON (April 28, 2026) - The NTSB announced Tuesday the promotion of Dave Helson to director of the agency's Office of Highway Safety and named Akbar Sultan as the director of the Office of Research and Engineering.

The highway safety office investigates crashes on U.S. roadways that have significant safety implications nationwide, highlight national safety issues or generate high interest because of emerging technologies.

The research and engineering office provides scientific and technical expertise for NTSB accident investigations in all modes of transportation. It is responsible for downloading and analyzing flight recorders and other electronic devices, metallurgy, fire research and creating computer animations and simulations of crash sequences.

"The NTSB's strength is its people, and Dave Helson and Akbar Sultan exemplify the dedication and expertise that drive our safety mission forward," Chair Jennifer Homendy said. "Their experience in investigations, transportation safety, and emerging technologies will further the NTSB's work to improve safety and prevent future accidents."

Dave Helson

Helson joined the NTSB in 2008 as an operational factors investigator in the Office of Aviation Safety and has held several leadership roles including senior air safety investigator, senior aviation accident investigator in the Air Carrier and Space Investigations Division and most recently, as the deputy director of the Office of Aviation Safety.

Before joining the NTSB, Helson held leadership roles in the commercial aviation industry including initial cadre check airman, fleet manager, supervisor of training, FAA aircrew program designee and instructor and check airman. He also flew as a line captain and first officer in airline and charter operations. Helson earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical technology from Arizona State University.

​Akbar Sultan

Sultan joins the NTSB with 26 years of experience at NASA where his work focused on aviation safety and the development and national implementation of advanced air traffic control technologies. Most recently he served as director of NASA's Airspace Operations and Safety Program.

While at NASA, Sultan oversaw cross-functional teams across four research centers, leading advanced work in aviation safety, predictive safety analytics, autonomy, airspace operations, and the integration of emerging technologies like advanced air mobility and uncrewed aircraft systems. He spearheaded NASA's "Sky for All" midcentury vision to create scalable, adaptive systems for an increasingly complex national airspace. Akbar also played a key role in aviation collaboration, co-leading NASA-FAA Research Transition Teams to move major technologies into FAA implementation and representing NASA on multiple national aviation safety and advisory committees.

Sultan is an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He earned two bachelor's degrees from University of California, Davis in mechanical engineering and aeronautical science and a master's degree in aerospace engineering from San Jose State University.

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