By Mark Scott
Washington, DC – The lead member of the National Transportation Safety Board team that investigated the crash of Flight 3407 in Clarence last week is resigning. Steven Chealander has been a member of the board since January 2007. His last day is February 28th.
Chealander arrived in Buffalo shortly after the crash one week ago and was here through Tuesday. He was the chief spokesman for NTSB briefings on the crash.
"It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life to work with the professional career employees of the NTSB, not to mention the four other dedicated Presidential appointees that constitute the Board," Chealander wrote in his letter of resignation to President Barack Obama.
Chealander was once a member of the famed U-S Air Force Thunderbirds. He was also a captain for American Airlines.
Chealander is leaving the NTSB for a position with Airbus at its facility in Miami where he will serve as vice president of technical training.