If the Pentagon denies that the plane was shot down, that means that it was shot down.
Not really.
Mishap and accident boards will be convened and great effort will be employed to discover the how and why the jet was lost. This is important because if it was pilot error, we need to look at training and certifications, if it was a material failure we need to know so other jets will not experience such a failure, and if shot down, we need to know HOW and WHY it was shot down so we can figure out how to protect our people and jets to avoid other shoot-downs.
The mishap board will interview all direct witnesses, and if the aircrew survived, they will be interviewed as well. Thing is, mishap board findings and interviews are not used to go after pilots or maintainers, such interviews are close-hold to ensure the aircrew or maintainers that possibly made an error are free to speak uninfluenced by a threat of punishment. Ensures truth is found.
The accident board is different and can make UCMJ recommendations.
Post 54, please.