Union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Saturday said not to jump to any conclusions on the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report of the Air India AI-171 crash, noting it as a preliminary submission on which comment can wait till the final report is out. “No conclusions can be drawn based on the pilots’ conversation as it is very brief. Further investigation is necessary. We should wait for that report,” he said.

Naidu said the ministry is currently analysing the preliminary report and coordinating with AAIB to provide necessary support and resources. He added he firmly believes India has one of the finest aviation workforces in the world, terming pilots and crew the backbone of civil aviation. 

He said their dedication deserves full appreciation with their welfare is a top priority.

Naidu said these are technical matters best handled by the investigation agency, and while the preliminary report has been received, concrete comments should await the final report. The minister said he appreciates the transparent, professional, and mature manner in which the investigation has been conducted, following all the international protocols.