In the aftermath of the deadliest U.S. air disaster in 20 years, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found itself in a tough spot. The agency, already short on staff and funds, had to act fast to stop its investigators from leaving after the Trump administration offered federal employees a chance to resign and get paid through September.

An internal memo from the NTSB clarified that its employees wouldn’t qualify for this program. The agency, which investigates transportation accidents and recommends safety measures, is independent and doesn’t report to the executive branch. Despite this, all 400 NTSB workers received an email titled “Fork in the Road,” which outlined the resignation offer.

This email went out just hours before a tragic collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter. The crash, which claimed 67 lives, left the NTSB’s leadership scrambling to ensure their investigators stayed on board.

By Friday, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy sent out a message urging employees to rescind any resignation letters they’d submitted. She stressed the importance of their work, especially given the ongoing investigation into the crash, the deadliest aviation accident since 9/11. Homendy also confirmed that the NTSB had been granted an exemption from the resignation program, meaning it wouldn’t apply to the agency’s staff.

Sources revealed that many NTSB employees, including seasoned investigators nearing retirement, were shocked by the initial offer. A source noted, “It’s not like we have an easy time finding people,” highlighting the difficulty of replacing specialized staff.

The NTSB’s quick action to retain its workforce underscores the critical role it plays in ensuring transportation safety during such challenging times.