New York (CNN Business) Boeing is cutting its 737 Max production rate as the company works to return the plane to flight.

"We have decided to temporarily move from a production rate of 52 airplanes per month to 42 airplanes per month starting in mid-April," CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement Friday.

Muilenburg was talking about the company's entire 737 production system, which includes more than just the Max line of jets. But most are Max planes.

The Max came under scrutiny following two crashes in the span of about five months involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines. A total of 346 people died in the two accidents.

All of Boeing's 737 Max planes were grounded after the crash in Ethiopia last month.

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