Boeing says it will cut production of its 737 model by nearly 20 percent, following two deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. The American aircraft-manufacturer maintains it's working on developing a software patch to fix related problems, and also plans to form an internal committee to review how the plane is designed. Deliveries of the company's best-selling aircraft have been frozen, and hundreds of these planes have been grounded worldwide. Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration has started an international review into the safety of the 737 MAX. As CGTN's Dan Williams reports from Chicago, pressure is building on the company.

The spotlight on U.S. aviation giant Boeing continues to grow in intensity. It follows publication of the preliminary report on the Ethiopian Airlines crash last month, that killed 157 people and a public apology from Boeing's CEO. 

DENNIS MUILENBURG BOEING CEO "We at Boeing are sorry for the lives lost in the recent 737 MAX accidents."

The early investigation suggests Ethiopian Airline pilots followed Boeing's emergency instructions, but were still unable to stop the plane's nose from repeatedly pointing downward.

For Boeing, that poses more difficult questions. The 737 Max is the company's fastest-selling plane with some 5-thousand ordered from airlines around the world. But the entire fleet is currently grounded.

Although Boeing remains confident it can fix software issues linked to the Ethiopian crash as well as the Lion Air crash in Indonesia last October, it is uncertain when the planes will be allowed to fly again.

DAN WILLIAMS CHICAGO "The pressure continues to mount for Boeing. The company could now be left liable for huge payouts to victims and airlines. With the first of many expected lawsuits already filed in the U.S."

The family of American Samya Stumo appeared at a news conference on Thursday. Samya was among those killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash.

RICHARD BURKE CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES, CHICAGO "I would certainly expect many more claims, Clifford Law offices has certainly been contacted by the families of victims from around the world. And we certainly expect to file other law suits."

Chinese nationals were also on board the flight. Attorney Zhidong Wang is urging families of the victims to also look at legal options.

ZHIDONG WANG ATTORNEY "I know they are still in a lot of pain. And some of the funerals were just held in the past few days. I think after all the immediate needs are taken care of, they are going to think about what do we do. And justice is the only way for the families."

The full investigation into the Ethiopian crash could take upwards of a year to complete. In the meantime, more and more questions continue to be asked of Boeing. The pressure is on the company to find the answers.

Dan Williams, CGTN, Chicago.