The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Friday issued a strong rebuke of recent international media reports concerning the Air India AI-171 crash investigation, calling them “premature and speculative.” The incident, which occurred last month in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, claimed the lives of 260 people.
NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy urged the public and the press to await the final findings from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is leading the probe. “Investigations of this magnitude take time. Recent media reports are speculative and risk misinforming the public,” she stated, reaffirming the NTSB’s support for the AAIB’s ongoing work.
Her comments come after AAIB issued a public appeal on Thursday, cautioning against “selective and unverified reporting” in the international media. The agency criticized the premature release of speculative details, especially a widely circulated report alleging the crash may have been caused by the captain mistakenly turning off fuel control switches shortly after takeoff.
The AAIB, under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, emphasized that its investigation is being conducted with full professionalism and in line with global aviation safety standards. “This is not the time to create public anxiety or doubt about Indian aviation safety, especially based on unfounded facts,” it said.
Highlighting the emotional toll of the tragedy, AAIB reminded the media of the need to be sensitive to the families of the victims and urged restraint in reporting. “Drawing early conclusions undermines the investigative process and risks spreading misinformation,” the agency warned.
Both the AAIB and NTSB reiterated that the preliminary report only outlines what happened, not why it happened. The final report, which will include analysis of root causes and safety recommendations, will be released after the investigation concludes.
The agencies called on all stakeholders, including the public and media, to await official updates and avoid circulating unverified narratives.
