NTSB calls media reports on AI-171 crash probe 'premature, speculative.

NTSB Slams 'Speculative' Media Reports on Air India 171 Crash; AAIB Urges Patience

Washington DC / New Delhi, July 19 (ANI): The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States has strongly criticized recent international media coverage regarding the preliminary findings of the Air India 171 crash investigation, calling such reports "premature and speculative."

In a statement on Friday, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy reiterated full support for India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is leading the probe into the tragic Ahmedabad crash that claimed 260 lives last month.

“Investigations of this magnitude take time,” Homendy said. “All investigative questions should be directed to AAIB.”

Her remarks follow a public appeal issued by the AAIB on Thursday, cautioning media outlets against "selective and unverified reporting" that could undermine the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

The AAIB emphasized that the probe is being conducted in full accordance with national and international aviation safety protocols, and urged media outlets to avoid fueling public anxiety with unfounded conclusions.

One such report from The Wall Street Journal, citing voice recordings, speculated that the crash may have resulted from the pilot switching off fuel controls shortly after takeoff—an allegation the AAIB has neither confirmed nor denied.

“The purpose of the preliminary report is to state what happened—not why it happened,” the AAIB clarified. “It is too early to reach any conclusions.”

The AAIB said the final report, which will include the root cause analysis and safety recommendations, will be released only after the full investigation is complete. In the meantime, the Bureau assured the public that updates with technical and public interest relevance would be published in due course.

Both agencies stressed the need to respect the sensitivities of the victims' families and allow the investigation to proceed without undue speculation or misinformation.