‘Premature and speculative’: US safety chief slams media for rushing to conclusions in Air India crash

The chair of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Jennifer Homendy, has called out media reports speculating on the cause of the Air India Flight AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad, branding them “premature and speculative.”

Her statement, issued July 17, came in support of India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which recently urged the public and press to refrain from drawing early conclusions while the investigation is still underway.

The remarks follow reports in certain US-based publications suggesting that the crash — which killed over 270 people, including 19 on the ground — was likely caused by deliberate action by one of the pilots. Homendy stressed that such reporting was irresponsible and undermined the integrity of an active, complex investigation.

“India’s AAIB just released its preliminary report. Investigations of this magnitude take time. We fully support the AAIB’s public appeal and will continue to support its ongoing investigation,” Homendy said, reiterating that all questions should be directed to the Indian bureau.

On July 17, AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar had issued a public appeal denouncing what he described as “irresponsible” reporting by sections of the international media. He said attempts to selectively highlight parts of the preliminary report were creating premature narratives not grounded in verified facts.

Yugandhar emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that the preliminary report was released to outline “what” happened, not “why” it happened. The final report, which is still months away, will delve into root causes and provide actionable recommendations, he added.

The preliminary findings revealed that both engines of the Boeing 787-8 lost thrust seconds after takeoff when their fuel control switches transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF.’ Cockpit voice recordings captured a moment of confusion between the pilots, with one asking the other why the fuel was cut. The response: “I didn’t.”

Notably, the report uses the word “transitioned” rather than “switched,” offering no confirmation that the controls were physically moved by either pilot. Despite this, the phrasing has fueled speculation — something the AAIB and NTSB have now publicly warned against.

“It is essential to respect the sensitivity of the loss faced by the families of the deceased,” Yugandhar said. “This is not the time to stir public anxiety or cast doubt on Indian aviation safety based on unfounded claims.”

Industry experts agree that the technical reasons behind the fuel cutoff remain unclear — whether it was a human error, mechanical malfunction, or software failure. The preliminary report itself warns that its findings are based on initial data and are “subject to change.”

Though the crash marks the deadliest aviation tragedy involving an Indian carrier in four decades, officials maintain that a thorough and professional probe is underway and caution against sensationalist narratives that could jeopardize its credibility.

The AAIB has promised to release further updates when warranted but urged all stakeholders to let the evidence lead — not speculation.