In a formal statement issued on July 17, AAIB emphasised that the preliminary report only outlines "what" happened, not why, and urged the media and public to avoid speculative or selective interpretations.

ALPA India requests AAIB to allow its representatives as observers in the AI171 crash probe to ensure transparency and a balanced, fact-based inquiry.

A cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the Air India flight that crashed last month supports the view that the captain cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines, said a source briefed on U.