U.S. NTSB chair calls media reports on Air India crash ‘speculative, premature'

The Hindu

19-07-2025

The United States National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said on Friday (July 18, 2025) that recent media reports on the crash of an Air India Boeing Dreamliner that killed 260 people were premature and speculative.
A preliminary investigation released last week by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found confusion in the cockpit shortly before the June 12 crash, and raised fresh questions over the position of the critical engine fuel cutoff switches.
Also read |The preliminary report on the AI 171 crash is notably brief and lacking in technical transparency, says aviation expert
U.S. media reports have provided speculative theories on the fuel control switches being turned off.
GE Aerospace, Boeing, Air India, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation and AAIB did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Ms. Homendy said investigations of this magnitude take time, and that the NTSB will continue to support AAIB's ongoing probe.
This came following AAIB's public appeal issued on Thursday (July 17) noting a strong appeal to the public and media, raising concerns about 'selective and unverified reporting' by certain international outlets in the aftermath of the crash.
The AAIB, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, reaffirmed that the investigation into the Air India crash is being conducted in a 'rigorous and most professional manner in accordance with the AAIB Rules and international protocols.'
The Bureau cautioned that the high-profile nature of the tragedy has 'drawn public attention and shock,' but emphasised, 'it needs to be appreciated that this is not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards the safety of the Indian Aviation Industry, particularly on the basis of unfounded facts.'
'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 the 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,' the letter read.
The Bureau reiterated that the objective of its investigation and preliminary report is to state 'WHAT happened'.
It clarified that at this stage, 'it is too early to reach any definite conclusions,' and the final report will be published only after the investigation is complete, including the identification of 'root causes and recommendations'.