News Brief
NTSB Slams US Media Speculation On Air India Plane Crash, Supports AAIB's Public Appeal
Civil Aviation Minister Naidu at Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad (Representative Image) (File Photo)
US aviation and transport accident watchdog has criticised recent media reports about the probable causes of Air India Flight AI 171 crash as “premature and speculative”, Indian Express reported.
In a statement, the head of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Jennifer Homendy, supported the recent public appeal issued by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) against speculation around the ongoing air crash investigation.
Her statement followed US media claims that deliberate pilot action may have caused the crash, which killed 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew and 19 on the ground.
“Recent media reports on the Air India 171 crash are premature and speculative. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau just released its preliminary report. Investigations of this magnitude take time. We fully support the AAIB’s public appeal, which was released Thursday, and will continue to support its ongoing investigation. All investigative questions should be addressed to the AAIB,” Homendy said in a statement.
AAIB DG GVG Yugandhar, in an appeal issued on Thursday (17 July), urged the media to “refrain from spreading premature narratives” around the ongoing investigation into the tragic crash of the Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft in Ahmedabad on 12 June.
Yugandhar also said that sections of the international media are “repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting”, and termed it “irresponsible” as the investigation is still on.
“While the accident of this dimension has drawn public attention and shock, however, it needs to be appreciated that this is not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards safety of Indian Aviation Industry, particularly on the basis of unfounded facts,” Yugandhar said.
The AAIB DG also said that the bureau will publish updates of technical and public interest “as and when required”.
According to the AAIB chief, the investigation into the crash — “the most devastating accident in recent aviation history” — is being undertaken in a “rigorous and most professional manner” as per AAIB Rules and international protocols.
“It is essential to respect the sensitivity of the loss faced by family members of deceased passengers, crew of the aircraft and other deceased persons on ground. It has come to our attention that certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting. Such actions are irresponsible, especially while the investigation remains ongoing. We urge both the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives that risk undermining the integrity of the investigative process,” Yugandhar said.
