Remains of an Air India plane, that crashed moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, lies on a building, in Ahmedabad.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Amid a media report putting the responsibility on a pilot for the Air India Boeing 787-8 'Dreamliner' crash, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Thursday said it is not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards safety of Indian aviation Industry, particularly on the basis of "unfounded facts", while insisting that it is "too early to reach to any definite conclusions".
AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar said in a statement that the purpose of the AAIB's investigation and preliminary report is to "provide information about "what happened" and it should be seen in that 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," he said.
Yugandhar's remarks came as The Wall Street Journal reported that a cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the Air India flight that crashed last month indicates Captain Sumit Sabharwal allegedly cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines. First Officer Clive Kunder was flying the plane.
He said 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 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. We urge both the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives that risk undermining the integrity of the investigative process," he aid.
"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," he added.
The statement said the AAIB is investigating the ill-fated Air India's B787-8 aircraft as well as several other accidents and serious incidents. AAIB has a "flawless record" in investigating 92 accidents and 111 serious incidents since its inception in 2012.
The VT-ANB (Air India flight) 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, Yugandhar said.
"While the accident of this dimension has drawn public attention and shock, however, it needs to be appreciated that this is not the time to create public anxiety or angst towards safety of Indian Aviation Industry, particularly on the basis of unfounded facts," he said while appealing to await publication of final investigation report after completion of the investigation.
AAIB will also publish updates as and when required which have technical and public interest, he added.