If that's the case, not admitting they shot it down doesn't seem to serve a purpose.
I think if the idea that hijackers blew up or damaged a plane is bad, the idea that a military shot it down is worse.
Passengers would know, if hijacked, they are already as good as dead.
Confessing military involvement in a deliberate civilian shootdown would be a very difficult thing for any government to do.
. . . . Ping to # 288.