Al-Qaeda plot to blow up US plane fails

[Slats7]

Al-Qaeda plot to blow up US plane fails | News.com.au

AN AIRLINE passenger aboard a jet airliner on its way from Amsterdam to the US city of Detroit tried to blow up the flight but his device failed, security officials told AP.

The incident occurred as Northwest Airlines Flight 253, an Airbus 330 carrying 278 passengers, was making its final descent to the American city of Detroit.


The passenger said he was acting on behalf of Al-Qaeda, AP reported.

 

[codash1099]

An Airbus 330! What is it with those planes? :mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[Slats7]

An Airbus 330! What is it with those planes? :mrgreen::mrgreen:

They have had a bad run lately!

 

[codash1099]

They have had a bad run lately!

Indeed. Nevertheless the incident appears to be serious and I apologise for seeing the humour first. Mea culpa

 

[NYCguy]

Whether or not this galah has anything to do with Al Qaida - and let's face it, the connection is currently tenuous at best, because any common-or-garden lunatic can do something silly and then claim affiliation - this guy is headed for a long, lonely stint at Florence SuperMax.

 

[samh004]

I hope they show us exactly what the device looked like and how it was meant to be used. Sounds like screening measures wont be relaxed so soon after all.

 

[Slats7]

I hope they show us exactly what the device looked like and how it was meant to be used. Sounds like screening measures wont be relaxed so soon after all.

I am very interested to see what it looks like.

 

[medhead]

This was described as setting off fireworks on the radio this morning. By the sound of a powder I have to wonder if it is gun powder or something. Hence incendiary device not explosive.

When I first read the post, before the news paper story or making the connection to the radio story. My first thought was the a330 could have been targetted because of those earlier incident. But reading more it seems just to be coincidence

 

[samh004]

Even if it is gunpowder or similar, you’d need a lot in a small area to do damage wouldn’t you? A little fire can be out out with a fire extinguisher very easily, hardly a good plan to blow up a plane. I’ll be interested to hear more.

I wonder if the random explosives test would pick up on what he had.

 

[medhead]

Even if it is gunpowder or similar, you’d need a lot in a small area to do damage wouldn’t you? A little fire can be out out with a fire extinguisher very easily, hardly a good plan to blow up a plane. I’ll be interested to hear more.

I wonder if the random explosives test would pick up on what he had.

I shouldn't have expanded on my comments, but was on iphone. Gunpowder will only cause damage if it is confined, then the expanding gases created will explode. If not confided in just burns, which is kinda what fireworks do. Hence I was taking the reference to fireworks and incendiary devices, that whatever device it was something that couldn't explode, as such, to bring down the aircraft. Of course a fire can be put out, but then a molotov coughtail is also an incendiary device.

From that reasoning I'd conclude that the guy does not really know what he is doing and is probably just your garden variety nutter.

 

[Flying Fox]

Sounds pretty bad to me that this 'device', not matter how poorly it was made, passed through security undetected.

 

[kpc]

...and the fall out from this has already begun:shock:

New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service. Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.

aircanada.com - Baggage Travel Advisory

 

[notzac]

...and the fall out from this has already begun:shock:


aircanada.com - Baggage Travel Advisory

...heaven forbid that someone might do something they shouldn't 90 minutes from the destination.

 

[straitman]

...heaven forbid that someone might do something they shouldn't 90 minutes from the destination.

... or even earlier.

 

[bambbbam2]

From latest reports, he was trying to light firecrackers..

 

[file51]

I am currently in L.A. at the moment and they were just talking about it on one of the XM news radio stations in depth (from what information is available).

Allegedly the fireworks that were ignited were put in contact with a liquid and powder mix that the passenger in question was seen mixing together shortly before (similar to a diet shake mix or baby powder formula) although a slightly different consistency.

It was mentioned that some home made explosive devices have a very high flash point which is only achievable by something like a phosphorous based firework. By all means evens a mixture smaller than a soda bottle could easily take down an aircraft of any size.

The discussion then moved to the fact that screening would be even more intensive at domestic U.S. airports, and any chance of them lifting the ban on liquids would almost know be moot, along with the addition of any powder substance (including talcum powder, non-mixed baby formula, diet shake mixes, etc). Also heightened restrictions on passenger movements in aircraft as already mentioned in this thread has already started in some capacity.

I have several domestic flights on Monday which I have done many times before including only 3 weeks ago, it will be interesting to see if there is any change to inflight service and TSA screening at relevant airports.

 

[harvyk]

New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service. Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.

Because no one who ever think to pre-prepare their explosive devices and have them sitting somewhere on their person prior to the 1 hour limitation.

Infact this would give a would be terrorist free range to assemble all sorts of devices at their seats, especially if they managed to get a few seats to themselves, as they are in very little danger of being discovered by someone just walking past... :evil:

Sorry but this just paranoia, plain and simple...

 

[samh004]

Infact this would give a would be terrorist free range to assemble all sorts of devices at their seats, especially if they managed to get a few seats to themselves, as they are in very little danger of being discovered by someone just walking past... :evil:

Sorry but this just paranoia, plain and simple...

It’s true though. Oh dear, the world we live in.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

As the flight departed from Amsterdam is there any great difference in security screening procedures ie. Europe vs USA?

It seems to me that the scanners that can detect explosive liquid, gunpowder, etc are needed more than ever...

 

[Blackadder]

...and the fall out from this has already begun:shock:


aircanada.com - Baggage Travel Advisory

Too bad if you need to go to the lavatory. :shock: