US investigators suspect that the missing Malaysian jet stayed in the air for several hours past the time it reached its last confirmed location. Immediately, Malaysia rejected the rumours.

Aviation investigators and national security officials believe the plane flew for about five hours, the Wall Streets Journal reported on March 13.

US counterterrorism officials are pursuing the possibility that a pilot or someone else on board the plane may have diverted it toward an undisclosed location after intentionally turning off the jetliner's transponders to avoid radar detection, the paper cited one person tracking the probe.

The investigation remains fluid, and it isn't clear whether investigators have evidence indicating possible terrorism or sabotage. So far, US national security officials have said that nothing specifically points toward terrorism, though they haven't ruled it out, it added.

The supposition was based on data automatically downloaded and sent to the ground from the Boeing 777's engine as part of a routine maintenance and monitoring programme.

Immediately, Malaysia rejected the rumours saying that the plane had flown for some hours after contact lost, and confirmed that it is inaccurate.

Malaysia ’s Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told media that the last transmission from the aircraft was at 01:07 a.m. ( Malaysia time), which indicated everything was normal.

Rolls Royce and Boeing representatives are in Kuala Lumpur to assist the search, he said, adding that they have never mentioned such information.

Regarding news relating to Chinese satellite photos, the minister said a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency surveillance plane was dispatched to the site, where Chinese satellites spotted three floating objects, but found nothing.

Malaysia Airlines Managing Director Ahmad Jauhari Yahyain denied news on the quality of the missing plane, affirming that it got regular technical check and maintenance as regulated.-VNA