Editorial: Theories outpacing facts in plane crash

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1999 | 10:03 a.m.

In recent days speculation has run rampant that the crash of EgyptAir Flight 990 may have been caused by a pilot bent on suicide or even possibly was the work of a terrorist. But before people start making up their minds, they should note that shortly after the crash of TWA Flight 800 there also was the belief that terrorism played a role. This hypothesis, though, eventually was ruled out by federal agencies investigating TWA Flight 800.

In this 24-hour, nonstop news age, even minor twists in a breaking news story are breathlessly reported as major developments by some cable news channels. But the public needs to take a step back and note that often these initial theories turn out to be just that -- theories, not facts. The crash of the EgyptAir crash very well may be due to suicide or terrorism -- not mechanical failure -- but until we know all the facts it's all speculation at this point.

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