Thread: Reports: NWA passenger was trying to blow up flight into Det

Originally Posted by BetsyRoss

Some news sources are claiming it was just a disturbance with firecrackers. Huh?

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2009-1 ... ate1-.html

That's what the initial reports were. More has come out since then.

Department of Justice Press Release

For Immediate Release
December 26, 2009 U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 514-2007/TDD (202) 514-1888

Nigerian National Charged with Attempting to Destroy Northwest Airlines Aircraft

WASHINGTON—A 23-year-old Nigerian man was charged in a federal criminal complaint today with attempting to destroy a Northwest Airlines aircraft on its final approach to Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Christmas Day and with placing a destructive device on the aircraft.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, a Nigerian national, boarded Northwest Flight 253 in Amsterdam, Netherlands on December 24, 2009 and had a device attached to his body. As the flight was approaching Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Abdulmutallab set off the device, which resulted in a fire and what appears to have been an explosion. Abdulmutallab was then subdued and restrained by the passengers and flight crew. The airplane landed shortly thereafter, and he was taken into custody by Customs and Border Patrol officers.

A preliminary FBI analysis found that the device contained PETN, also known as pentaerythritol, a high explosive. Further analysis is ongoing. In addition, FBI agents recovered what appear to be the remnants of the syringe from the vicinity of Abdulmutallab’s seat, believed to have been part of the device.

“This alleged attack on a U.S. airplane on Christmas Day shows that we must remain vigilant in the fight against terrorism at all times,â€