Detroit Plane Bomb

On December 25, 2009, Northwest Airlines international flight 253 a passenger claiming he was with the Al Qaeda set off a small explosive device during the descent toward the United States. Passengers and the cabin crew were said to have subdued the suspect and keep him isolated until landing. It is currently unknown if it was a bomb or firecrackers. One passenger on the flight said the explosion was caused by a mixture of an unknown powder and liquid.http://www.newyorkpost.com/p/news/international/passenger_ignites_firecrackers_on_gpt0DT8ybAlHzISjEW7BqL Two or three passengers suffered minor burns in the explosion, although the suspect suffered third degree burns and is being treated for his injuries.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581153,00.html A spokeswoman of the FBI, Sandra Berchtold, told reporters that a full investigation is underway.http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/25/airliner.firecrackers/index.html Flight 253 originated in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and was en route to Detroit, Michigan.

The suspect, Abdul Mudallah from Nigeria, was apprehended immediately and remains in custody. His identity was confirmed by New York Representative Peter King who said the suspect "definitely has connections" to Al Qaeda.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581153,00.html

President Barack Obama was informed of the incident while on holiday in Hawaii, and has not changed his travel plans due to the incident. He did state that "all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel" according to White House spokesman Bill Burton.http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/12/25/airliner.firecrackers/index.html