Malaysian official: Report incorrect that engine data showed missing plane kept flying

3/13/2014

In this March 9, 2014 satellite image seen on the website of the Chinese State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, floating objects are seen at sea next to the red arrow which was added by the source. China's Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday that the images show suspected debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines jetliner floating off the southern tip of Vietnam. (AP Photo/Chinese State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s defense minister has denied reports that engine data from the missing Malaysian jetliner indicated it may have kept flying for four hours after its last communication.

Acting Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein was referring to reports that the Rolls Royce engines aboard the Boeing 777 automatically sent data to the engine manufacturer as part of a maintenance program.

The Wall Street Journal said U.S. officials suspect the plane continued flying for four hours after its last contact, based on data from the engines.

Hishammuddin said today that both Rolls Royce and Boeing said that report was wrong.