Why treat the F-35 intake-cover story cautiously?

Had an intake cover caused the Mediterranean F-35 loss?

That was only an unconfirmed rumor in November 2021; the conspicuous cover and routine checks made the claim questionable, so the cause still required evidence.

A claim circulating after the Mediterranean F-35 loss said that a rain or intake cover had been left in place and entered the engine. In November 2021, that account remained unconfirmed. Bright red covers and routine walk-around checks made such an oversight difficult to reconcile with normal deck practice, although human error remained possible. A simple and amusing explanation can spread before reliable evidence emerges. The cause therefore required confirmation rather than repetition of the rumor as fact.