The aircraft accident investigation bureau (AAIB) has alleged that certain sections of international media have been repeatedly attempting to speculate through unverified reporting of the AI-171 crash. On the same lines, the Indian pilots’ body said that the deceased pilots deserve respect instead of unfounded character judgements.
After the US-based Wall Street Journal newspaper reported that the investigation of Air India’s AI-171, that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12 killing 260 people, is now focused on the flight’s captain, AAIB has urged the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives. It highlighted that certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting.
Calling such actions irresponsible, especially while the investigation remains ongoing, AAIB stated that 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 ground. It highlighted that such speculations, on the basis of unfounded facts, create public anxiety or angst towards the safety of the Indian aviation industry.
The director general of AAIB GVG Yugandhar, in his statement, said that the AI-171 accident has been the most devastating accident in recent aviation history and the investigation is being undertaken in a rigorous and most professional manner in accordance with the AAIB Rules and international protocols. He added that AAIB has a flawless record in investigating 92 Accidents and 111 serious incidents since its inception in 2012.
AAIB made an appeal to await publication of the final investigation report after completion of the investigation and said that it will publish updates as and when required which have technical and public interest. “The purpose of the AAIB's investigation and preliminary report is to provide information about what happened. The preliminary report has to be seen in this light. At this stage, it is too early to reach any definite conclusions. The investigation by AAIB is still not complete. The Final Investigation Report will come out with root causes and recommendations,” read the statement.
Airline pilots’ association- India (ALPA India), the Indian pilots’ body, also criticised the report on Thursday and said that the crew made every possible effort to protect the passengers onboard and they deserve respect instead of unfounded character judgements. The association, which is a member of the international federation of airline pilots’ association (IFALPA), also called for a fact-based and respectful discourse.
“Pilots are trained professionals who carry the responsibility of hundreds of lives with dedication and dignity. The crew of AI-171 made every possible effort, till their very last breath, to protect the passengers on board and minimise harm on the ground. They deserve respect, not unfounded character judgements,” read the statement.
With inputs from PTI
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