Engine snag forces Boeing to halt test flights of 737 Max

Chicago

BOEING Co is temporarily suspending flights of its new 737 Max jetliner because of a potential manufacturing flaw in the engines, marring the commercial debut for the fastest-selling plane in company history.

The jet-maker and its engine supplier, a venture of General Electric Co and Safran SA, are rushing to understand the problem ahead of the aircraft's first delivery, which remains scheduled for later this month. Boeing said a possible quality defect in the Leap engine's low-pressure turbine discs was discovered during inspections and hadn't affected flight testing of the upgraded 737.