Ethiopian Airlines rejected a draft Lebanese probe blaming pilot error for the crash of its jet: the report was “biased, based on assumptions and turned a blind eye to the solid facts”

Ethiopian Airlines rejected the findings of a draft Lebanese report blaming pilot error for the crash of its jet off the Lebanese coast saying the report was “biased, based on assumptions and turned a blind eye to the solid facts.”

Airline officials said the report blames the pilot for not following instructions from the control tower.

Ethiopian Airlines managing director Tewolde Gebremariam said Tuesday he believes Lebanese authorities withheld information and that their final report is incomplete and biased.

The Vice President of Flight Operations for Ethiopia Airlines said the 2010 crash was likely caused by sabotage, a lightning strike or was shot down. “The aircraft disintegrated in the air due to explosion, which could have been caused by a shoot-down, sabotage or lightning strike,” Desta Zeru said in a statement.

The airline’s accident report released Tuesday said witnesses saw an explosion in the sky before the jet crashed into the sea, indicative of "external damage" inflicted, Desta reported.

Desta accused Lebanon of “ignoring crucial information,” such as security footage and autopsy records.

The Ethiopian statement was responding to a declaration by a Lebanese government official, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, on Tuesday that Lebanon’s investigations blamed the crew's mistakes in piloting the jet when it went down.

The aircraft crashed less than five minutes after take-off, killing all 90 people on board.