KTVU anchor apologizes for bogus crew names in crash story

Chelsea J. Carter and Susan Candiotti
Updated 3:45 PM EDT, Sat July 13, 2013

Story highlights

NEW: "Apologies to all upset by a story on Noon News," anchor Tori Campbell tweets

KTVU read the names on air, then apologized

An intern erroneously confirmed the names of the flight crew, the NTSB says

(CNN) —  

The television news anchor who misreported the names of the four pilots who were aboard Asiana Airlines Flight 214 when it crash-landed last week in San Francisco apologized Saturday for the screwup.

“Apologies to all upset by a story on Noon News,” tweeted Tori Campbell of KTVU, a CNN affiliate in Oakland, California. “A serious mistake was made @KTVU. My thoughts are w/victims of Flt 214 & families.”

The bogus names phonetically spelled out phrases such as “Something Wrong” and “We Too Low.”

Campbell’s apology followed by one day an apology by the National Transportation Safety Board for the “inaccurate and offensive” names that were erroneously confirmed by a summer intern.

“Earlier today, in response to an inquiry from a media outlet, a summer intern acted outside the scope of his authority when he erroneously confirmed the names of the flight crew on the aircraft,” the NTSB said Friday in a statement.

Opinion: How to save your life in a plane crash

In this handout photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 sits just off the runway at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday, July 7. The Boeing 777 coming from Seoul, South Korea, crashed on landing on Saturday, July 6. Three passengers, all girls, died as a result of the first notable U.S. air crash in four years.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
In this handout photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 sits just off the runway at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday, July 7. The Boeing 777 coming from Seoul, South Korea, crashed on landing on Saturday, July 6. Three passengers, all girls, died as a result of the first notable U.S. air crash in four years.
PHOTO: NTSB
A photo showing the damaged interior of the aircraft was released by the NTSB on July 7. The flight carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew took off from Shanghai and stopped in Seoul before heading to San Francisco.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
A photo showing the damaged interior of the aircraft was released by the NTSB on July 7. The flight carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew took off from Shanghai and stopped in Seoul before heading to San Francisco.
PHOTO: NTSB
An investigator photographs part of the landing gear at the crash site in a handout released on July 7. Investigators believe that the pilots were flying too slow and too low as they neared the airport on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
An investigator photographs part of the landing gear at the crash site in a handout released on July 7. Investigators believe that the pilots were flying too slow and too low as they neared the airport on July 6.
PHOTO: NTSB
An investigator inspects the broken-off tail of the plane in a handout photo released July 7. The crash killed two people, injured 182 and forced the temporary closure of one of the country
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
An investigator inspects the broken-off tail of the plane in a handout photo released July 7. The crash killed two people, injured 182 and forced the temporary closure of one of the country's largest airports.
PHOTO: NTSB
An investigator stands near the tail of the plane in a handout photo released on July 7. The NTSB has ruled out weather as a problem and said that conditions were right for a "visual landing."
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
An investigator stands near the tail of the plane in a handout photo released on July 7. The NTSB has ruled out weather as a problem and said that conditions were right for a "visual landing."
PHOTO: NTSB
Investigators approach the crash in a handout photo released on July 7.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Investigators approach the crash in a handout photo released on July 7.
PHOTO: NTSB
Fire crews attempt to quench the blaze on Saturday, July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Fire crews attempt to quench the blaze on Saturday, July 6.
PHOTO: John Green/Bay Area News Group/MCT/Landov
Smoke rises from the crash site across the San Francisco Bay on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Smoke rises from the crash site across the San Francisco Bay on July 6.
PHOTO: Scott Sobczak/AP
Asiana Airlines Flight 214 remains on the runway on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Asiana Airlines Flight 214 remains on the runway on July 6.
PHOTO: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
A plane sits on the runway on July 6 while emergency crews tend to the crash site.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
A plane sits on the runway on July 6 while emergency crews tend to the crash site.
PHOTO: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
A helicopter flies above the wreckage on July 6 as people observe from across the waters of San Francisco Bay.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
A helicopter flies above the wreckage on July 6 as people observe from across the waters of San Francisco Bay.
PHOTO: Jeff Chiu/AP
Travelers at San Francisco International Airport look at the departures and arrivals board after Asiana Flight 214 crashed on July 6. The airport, located 12 miles south of downtown San Francisco, is California
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Travelers at San Francisco International Airport look at the departures and arrivals board after Asiana Flight 214 crashed on July 6. The airport, located 12 miles south of downtown San Francisco, is California's second busiest, behind Los Angeles International.
PHOTO: Darryl Bush/AP
Kevin Cheng talks on his phone as he waits in the terminal after Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash-landed on July 6. He said he was supposed to pick up students who were on board the flight from Seoul.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Kevin Cheng talks on his phone as he waits in the terminal after Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash-landed on July 6. He said he was supposed to pick up students who were on board the flight from Seoul.
PHOTO: Darryl Bush/AP
Passengers wait for the British Airways counter to reopen at San Francisco International Airport on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Passengers wait for the British Airways counter to reopen at San Francisco International Airport on July 6.
PHOTO: Sarah Rice/Getty Images
Police guard the Reflection Room at the San Francisco airport
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Police guard the Reflection Room at the San Francisco airport's international terminal, where passengers from Asiana Airlines Flight 214 were reportedly gathering after the crash landing on July 6.
PHOTO: Sarah Rice/Getty Images
People are escorted from the Reflection Room at the San Francisco International Airport on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
People are escorted from the Reflection Room at the San Francisco International Airport on July 6.
PHOTO: Susana Bates/EPA/LANDOV
Traffic backs up on U.S. Route 101 South in San Francisco on July 6. The Bay Area airport was closed to incoming and departing traffic after the crash, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Traffic backs up on U.S. Route 101 South in San Francisco on July 6. The Bay Area airport was closed to incoming and departing traffic after the crash, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
PHOTO: Sarah Rice/Getty Images
People look over the wreckage across a cove in San Francisco Bay on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
People look over the wreckage across a cove in San Francisco Bay on July 6.
PHOTO: STEPHEN LAM/REUTERS/LANDOV
Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, speaks to the press at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, before departing for San Francisco with an NTSB crew on July 6 to investigate the crash site.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, speaks to the press at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, before departing for San Francisco with an NTSB crew on July 6 to investigate the crash site.
PHOTO: Alex Wong/Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants observe a moment of silence for those killed and hurt in the crash before their baseball game on July 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
The San Francisco Giants observe a moment of silence for those killed and hurt in the crash before their baseball game on July 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
PHOTO: George Nikitin/AP
Crews comb the end of a San Francisco airport runway following the crash landing on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Crews comb the end of a San Francisco airport runway following the crash landing on July 6.
PHOTO: Noah BergerAP
People in Seoul watch a news program reporting about the crash landing on July 6 in San Francisco. Asiana Airlines Flight 214 took off from Seoul earlier Saturday.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
People in Seoul watch a news program reporting about the crash landing on July 6 in San Francisco. Asiana Airlines Flight 214 took off from Seoul earlier Saturday.
PHOTO: Ahn Young-joon/AP
The plane crashed on July 6 around 11:30 a.m. (2:30 p.m. ET).
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
The plane crashed on July 6 around 11:30 a.m. (2:30 p.m. ET).
PHOTO: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
People walk past the wreckage of the plane
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
People walk past the wreckage of the plane's tail on July 6.
PHOTO: Jeff Chiu/AP
The burned-out plane remains on the runway on July 6. Passengers and crew members escaped down the emergency inflatable slides.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
The burned-out plane remains on the runway on July 6. Passengers and crew members escaped down the emergency inflatable slides.
PHOTO: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Rescue workers tend to the crash site on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Rescue workers tend to the crash site on July 6.
PHOTO: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Debris litters the runway on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Debris litters the runway on July 6.
PHOTO: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Airport shuttles arrive on the scene after the crash landing.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Airport shuttles arrive on the scene after the crash landing.
PHOTO: Kimberly White/Getty Images
Wreckage from the Boeing 777 lies on the tarmac on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Wreckage from the Boeing 777 lies on the tarmac on July 6.
PHOTO: Kimberly White/Getty Images
Crews surround the remains of the plane on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Crews surround the remains of the plane on July 6.
PHOTO: Kimberly White/Getty Images
Investigators pass the detached tail and landing gear of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Investigators pass the detached tail and landing gear of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 on July 6.
PHOTO: Noah Berger/AP
An aerial view shows the site of the crash landing between the runways on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
An aerial view shows the site of the crash landing between the runways on July 6.
PHOTO: JED JACOBSOHN/Reuters/LANDOV
Smoke rises from the crash site on July 6 at the airport in San Francisco.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Smoke rises from the crash site on July 6 at the airport in San Francisco.
PHOTO: Zach Custer/AP
Fire crews work at the crash site at San Francisco International Airport on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
Fire crews work at the crash site at San Francisco International Airport on July 6.
PHOTO: John Green/Bay Area News Group/AP
The Boeing 777 lies burned on the runway after it crashed landed on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
The Boeing 777 lies burned on the runway after it crashed landed on July 6.
PHOTO: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
An aerial photo of the scene on July 6 shows the extent of the plane
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
An aerial photo of the scene on July 6 shows the extent of the plane's damage.
PHOTO: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
The burned-out plane sits surrounded by emergency vehicles on July 6.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
The burned-out plane sits surrounded by emergency vehicles on July 6.
PHOTO: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
CNN iReporter Amanda Painter took this photo while waiting at the San Francisco airport on July 6. The entire airport has shut down and flights diverted to other airports.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
CNN iReporter Amanda Painter took this photo while waiting at the San Francisco airport on July 6. The entire airport has shut down and flights diverted to other airports.
PHOTO: Courtesy Amanda Painter
iReporter Val Vaden captured this photo while waiting in a departure lounge at the San Francisco airport on July 6. Val observed the billowing smoke and emergency responders
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
iReporter Val Vaden captured this photo while waiting in a departure lounge at the San Francisco airport on July 6. Val observed the billowing smoke and emergency responders' rush in.
PHOTO: Courtesy Val Vaden
iReporter Sven Duenwald was at home on July 6 when he saw smoke rising into the air near the San Francisco International Airport.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
iReporter Sven Duenwald was at home on July 6 when he saw smoke rising into the air near the San Francisco International Airport.
PHOTO: Courtesy Sven Duenwald
iReporter Timothy Clark was standing on the eighth floor of the Embassy Suites Airport Hotel when he heard a loud crashing sound from outside. "My daughter told me she heard a plane crash. I used my camera to get a clearer view and I could see a dust cloud. Then people running from the plane, then flames," he said.
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
iReporter Timothy Clark was standing on the eighth floor of the Embassy Suites Airport Hotel when he heard a loud crashing sound from outside. "My daughter told me she heard a plane crash. I used my camera to get a clearer view and I could see a dust cloud. Then people running from the plane, then flames," he said.
PHOTO: Courtesy Timothy Clark
A photo provided to CNN by Eunice Bird Rah -- and shot by her father, who was a passenger on the plane -- shows flames and smoke bursting out of many of the aircraft
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
A photo provided to CNN by Eunice Bird Rah -- and shot by her father, who was a passenger on the plane -- shows flames and smoke bursting out of many of the aircraft's windows.
PHOTO: Courtesy Eunice Bird Rah
David Eun, a passenger on Asiana Airlines Flight 214, posted this image to Path.com along with the message, "I just crash landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine, I
Photos: Plane crash-lands in San Francisco
Plane crash-lands in San Francisco —  
David Eun, a passenger on Asiana Airlines Flight 214, posted this image to Path.com along with the message, "I just crash landed at SFO. Tail ripped off. Most everyone seems fine, I'm ok. Surreal..." It was one of the first photographs taken after the crash.
PHOTO: Courtesy David Eun

Campbell read the names during KTVU’s noon broadcast on Friday, after which the news station apologized on air and on its website.

“Nothing is more important to us than having the highest level of accuracy and integrity, and we are reviewing our procedures to ensure this type of error does not happen again,” KTVU posted on its website.

The station said the names were confirmed by an NTSB official in Washington prior to air.

It was not immediately clear who produced the fake names, but the NTSB said it was not the intern.

“The names were presented by the station, to the intern for confirmation,” said NTSB spokeswoman Kelly Nantel. “The intern did not make up the names and provide them to the station.”

The NTSB said it does not release or confirm the identities of crew members or people involved in transportation accidents.

“We work hard to ensure that only appropriate factual information regarding an investigation is released and deeply regret today’s incident,” the NTSB statement said.

The NTSB did not identify the intern, but said, “Appropriate actions will be taken to ensure that such a serious error is not repeated.”

Asiana Airlines has identified the pilot flying the Boeing 777 that crashed at San Francisco International Airport as Lee Kang-Kuk.

Did Asiana pilot have enough 777 experience?

Asiana Flight 214 was carrying 291 passengers and 16 crew members when it crash landed Saturday on the runway after striking a seawall.

Three passengers died, including a girl who died of her injuries Friday morning. More than 180 others were injured.