Malaysia Airlines engine data not tracked for hours, source says

SEATTLE: The Malaysian Airlines 777 that has been missing for nearly a week was not tracked for hours by engine maker Rolls-Royce after losing touch with air traffic control, contrary to a report in Thursday's Wall Street Journal, according to a person knowledgeable about the details.

The Journal reported that "aviation investigators and national security officials believe the plane flew for a total of five hours" based on their knowledge of data automatically downloaded and sent to the ground from the jet's Rolls-Royce engines as part of a routine maintenance and monitoring program.