A pilot in the cockpit of the Air India plane, which crashed killing 260 people in Ahmedabad, “almost certainly” intended to turn off fuel switches, sources claim. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner came down just seconds into its journey to London Gatwick on June 12 last year. An official investigation is ongoing.

In total, 241 passengers and crew were killed, and 19 people died when the plane crashed into a medical college. Fifty-three of those on board were British. There was only one survivor from the plane, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

Italian daily, Corriere della Sera, reported on Tuesday (February 10) that the captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, is likely to be blamed for the crash, citing Western sources.

The publication reported that investigators found the left engine was shut down first, suggesting Mr Sabharwal was responsible, as captains always sit on the left. The right engine then shut down.

Corriere della Sera also reported that while first officer Clive Kunder’s control stick was in a position to regain altitude, the captain’s was stationary.

The plane’s flight data recorder also reportedly pointed the finger at Mr Sabharwal. In a blackbox recording, one pilot could be heard asking the other: “Why did you turn off the engines?” To which the other replied: “It wasn’t me”.

Sources told the Italian publication the final report into the crash may include a “toned down” explanation suggesting one of the pilots was responsible to avoid controversy in India.

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Western threats to reassess Indian airlines’ safety records are reported to risk India’s image as it continues to invest in air travel, tourism and trade.

One source reportedly told Corriere della Sera: “Admitting that one of the pilots was responsible for the plane’s downfall is increasingly seen as a worthwhile sacrifice.”

Sources said the final report will not look to blame anyone, but help the aviation industry improve and slash its accident rate.

This would include references to pilots’ physical health and mental wellbeing, the newspaper reports.

Publication of the investigation’s findings will reportedly depend on talks between India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The investigation is being led by India’s Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau, along with the involvement of the US National Transportation Safety Board, Boeing and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace.