Vizag, July 12 -- Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Saturday hailed the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) for conducting a "transparent and professional" investigation into the Air India flight AI171 crash.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, resulting in the deaths of 260 individuals, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground.

Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said the preliminary report released by AAIB on Friday is under review by the Civil Aviation Ministry, adding that further comments will be made only after the final report is released.

"I like to appreciate...