"Irresponsible reporting": AAIB slams US media for "unverified" report on Air India crash pilot's role

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday strongly refuted a US-based Wall Street Journal report speculating on one of the pilots' roles in the Air India Flight 171 crash, which tragically killed 260 people on July 12. The AAIB condemned the report as "unverified and selective reporting," emphasizing that it is premature to draw conclusions while the investigation into the devastating tragedy remains incomplete.

In a sharp statement, the AAIB underscored the sensitive nature of the ongoing inquiry and the profound loss faced by the families of the deceased passengers, crew, and individuals 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," the bureau asserted.

The AAIB clarified that its preliminary findings released earlier were intended solely to provide information about "what" happened, not to pinpoint blame or conclude the cause. The agency urged both the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives that could undermine the integrity of the investigative process, stressing that the final report, detailing root causes and recommendations, will only be released upon the comprehensive completion of the investigation.