To pilots and those afficianados there's a world of difference between a 727, 737, 747 and 777.. To the average man in the public house it is a 'jumbo jet'...
A lot of reporting is done quite quickly and minor things can slip. Of course the media can balls up very badly too.
I could understand a 727 and a 777 being mixed up though. In many Swedish accents I misunderstand 2 for 7 if the person is mumbline.