'Investigations of this magnitude take time': US probe agency slams media reports on Air India 171 crash; calls them 'premature and speculative'
NEW DELHI: The US-based National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which oversees investigations into major aviation and transportation incidents, on Friday slammed recent media coverage of the preliminary report on the Air India Flight 171 crash, calling the reports "premature and speculative.
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Jennifer Homendy, chairwoman of the NTSB, said in a statement: "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.
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The crash happened shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The Air India flight, heading to London with 241 people onboard, crashed into a nearby medical hostel. The incident claimed lives of 260 people. While, only one passenger survived.
The AAIB's 15-page preliminary report, released a month after the incident, outlines what has been discovered so far. It says that right after takeoff, the aircraft faced sudden engine failure, confusion in the cockpit, and failed attempts to recover the flight.
Following the release, the AAIB issued a public appeal on Thursday, warning against spreading "selective and unverified reporting" by some international media. It stressed that the investigation is being carried out professionally, following all rules and global standards.
The AAIB also said the crash has understandably shocked the public, but this is not the time to spread panic or fear about the Indian aviation industry based on unconfirmed information.
The Bureau made it clear that the report's purpose is only to explain "what happened - not why" it happened -- and warned against jumping to conclusions.
The AAIB added, "It is too early to reach any definite conclusions," and said that a final report will be released later. That report will include the root causes of the crash and recommendations to avoid similar accidents in the future.
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