American B763 near Manaus on Feb 3rd 2014, transponder indicates unlawful interference

An American Airlines Boeing 767-300, registration N353AA performing flight AA-904 from Rio de Janeiro Galeao,RJ (Brazil) to Miami,FL (USA) with 127 passengers, was enroute near Manaus,AM (Brazil) when air traffic control received the code for unlawful interference via the aircraft's transponder raising concern the aircraft may have been hijacked. Fighter aircraft were dispatched to intercept the Boeing 767 and accompanied the aircraft diverting to and safely landing at Manaus. The aircraft taxied to a remote stand where the aircraft was searched.

The aircraft was released to continue the flight after about 2.5 hours on the ground after authorities were satisfied the transponder code activation was false and no threat had existed. Authorities reported that the commander of the aircraft did not give any reason for the activation of the code.

The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Manuas due to a security issue.