Indian investigators are preparing an interim rather than a final report on last year's deadly Air India crash ahead of the anniversary of the Boeing 787 accident that killed 260 people, a source said.
The interim report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will be more comprehensive than the preliminary report and will examine possible primary causes and contributing factors.
The preliminary report showed the Dreamliner's engine fuel switches were flipped almost simultaneously, starving the engines of fuel shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London.
A cockpit recording suggested the captain cut the fuel flow, according to U.S. officials. The AAIB said it was too early to draw conclusions.
By releasing an interim report, Indian authorities won't have to share findings with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ahead of time. The NTSB could comment on the final report.
The final report won't be ready by the anniversary because the investigation is complex and time-consuming, the source said.
Under international rules, a final report is due within a year, but if not completed, an interim statement should be issued on each anniversary.
