How an ‘All Angles’ Probe Was Spun into a Air India Sabotage-Focused Narrative
In the hours following a tragic air crash, every word spoken by public officials is scrutinized and sometimes, taken out of context. That’s exactly what appears to have happened after a recent interview with India’s Minister of State for Civil Aviation regarding the Air India crash investigation.
When asked about the cause of the crash, the minister gave a measured response about the ongoing investigation and the various factors being examined. As a follow-up, the interviewer pointedly asked whether sabotage was being considered. The minister replied, “All angles are being investigated.” He went on to mention standard steps including coordination with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to review 30-day CCTV footage, screen visitor logs, and so on. In other words, he provided a calm, process-driven response.
And yet, headlines ran wild: from “Sabotage angle being probed in Air India crash” to “Two weeks after the tragic AI171 crash, India’s civil aviation ministry has dropped a bombshell” to “Air India investigators probing alarming explanation for deadly crash”
By the time it reached social media, a full-scale conspiracy theory was brewing — with popular accounts engagement farming a ‘Breaking News sabotage theory’ angle.
The word sabotage, though never emphasized by the minister, was lifted out of context and turned into a narrative that risks sensationalizing what should be a meticulous, fact-based investigation.
All Angles Including Sabotage Are Always Investigated
In any aviation accident of this scale, it is standard protocol to examine every possible cause, including mechanical failure, external factors, human error, or sabotage.
That doesn’t mean sabotage is suspected. It simply hasn’t been ruled out, just like any other possibility. The mention of sabotage isn’t sensational; it’s procedural. Treating it as breaking news does a disservice to public understanding.
Jumping to conclusions, especially based on partial quotes, creates unnecessary panic and distracts from the real work of investigators. It also places undue pressure on the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), whose efforts must be protected from politics, media pressure, and public speculation.
Let’s be clear:
- Investigations should be allowed to proceed without speculation
- The media should exercise restraint and avoid sensationalism until credible data emerges.
- The AAIB’s credibility hinges not just on its technical competence but on public perception of independence and that can be damaged by premature statements or misinterpretation of official remarks.
In this case, the minister gave a measured and appropriate response but media distortion created an entirely different narrative.
The Bottom Line
The tragedy of an air crash deserves seriousness, sensitivity, and above all, accuracy. India’s AAIB, while technically under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, follows ICAO standards and is expected to conduct investigations independently.
Everyone associated with the investigation, from public officials to airline spokespeople, must communicate with clarity and caution, recognizing how easily their words can be taken out of context. In this case, the minister did just that. The distortion came not from what was said, but from how it was reported. In aviation reporting , especially in the aftermath of a tragedy of this scale, context isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Let the AAIB complete its work. Let the data lead. And let the victims and their families receive the answers they deserve — not a daily dose of sensational headlines.
Read: Air India AI-171 Black Box Analysis Begins at AAIB Lab in Delhi
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