PETN explosive
It seems after all we have done and the huge amounts of money spent since 2001, on counter-terrorism airport security, and the like, it was the simplicity of the passengers and crew members that diverted a near disaster on the Christmas Day flight to Detroit.
Just 20 minutes from landing into Detroit, after 29 hours of travel, two flights across three continents, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, aboard Northwest Flight 253, tried to ignite the incendiary mixture of powder which had been taped to his leg.
A preliminary F.B.I. analysis has now found that the device actually contained PETN, which is a highly explosive agent called pentaerythritol. A statement released said “Further analysis is ongoing,” “In addition, F.B.I. 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.” Mr Abdulmutallab was due in court later in the day regardless of the injuries he caused to himself .
Mr Abdulmutallab was charged on Saturday afternoon, in a federal criminal complaint with the willful attempt to destroy and aircraft on it’s final approach to Detroit airport and also with placing a destructive device on board.
“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.” said an affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, and of him havign a device strapped to his body.
Reportedly while the Christmas Day flight was flying into Detroit, there were popping sounds, with smoke and a commotion as passengers cried out in regards to what was happening. One woman was heard shouting “What are you doing?” While another called out “Fire!”
It was then that passengers jumped on Mr Andulmutallab, restraining the 23 year old Nigerian.
Jasper Schuringa, told CNN, “Without any hesitation, I just jumped over all the seats,” Mr. Schuringa said, which other passengers confirmed.
“I was thinking, Oh, he’s trying to blow up the plane. I was trying to search his body for any explosive. I took some kind of object that was already melting and smoking, and I tried to put out the fire and when I did that I was also restraining the suspect.” This was after seeing Mr Abdulmutallab, on the other side of the aircraft with what looked like an object on fire.
Mr. Schuringa also burnt his hands slightly as he fought with Mr. Abdulmutallab, along with other passengers, and began to call for water.
“But then the fire was getting worse, so I grabbed the suspect out of the seat,” said Mr. Schuringa. Flight attendants came with fire extinguishers, put out the flames and assisted Mr. Schuringa walk Mr. Abdulmutallab to first class, where he was stripped, searched and locked in handcuffs.
Mr Shuringa also said, “The whole plane was screaming — but the suspect, he didn’t say a word.”