Airline Incident Was Terrorism Attempt, White House Says

Airline Incident Was Terrorism Attempt, White House Says
Copyright By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: December 25, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/26/us/26plane.html?_r=1&ref=global-home


A passenger aboard a plane at Detroit Metropolitan Airport apparently tried to ignite an explosive device on Friday, an incident the United States believes was “an attempted act of terrorism,” according to a White House official who asked not to be identified discussing the investigation.

A Delta spokeswoman told The Associated Press that the incident caused a commotion and some minor injuries. The F.B.I. said it was investigating.

The Delta spokeswoman, Susan Elliott, said the passenger was subdued immediately. She had no details on the injuries.

Representative Peter King of New York identified the passenger as Abdul Mudallad, a Nigerian, The A.P. reported. Mr. King said the flight began in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit.

One person who had been aboard the flight was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, a spokeswoman for the hospital told The A.P. It was not clear whether that person was the passenger who caused the incident.

President Obama, vacationing in Hawaii, was notified about the incident by a military aide. Mr. Obama subsequently held a secure conference call with his top counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan.

Mr. Obama “instructed that all appropriate measures be taken to increase security for air travel,” a White House spokesman said. “The president is actively monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates.”

The Homeland Security Department said passengers may see additional screening measures on domestic and international flights because of the incident.

News reports varied on what kind of explosive device the passenger had tried to ignite, and none could be confirmed. The incident occurred as Northwest Airlines Flight 253, an Airbus 330 carrying 278 passengers, was arriving in Detroit from Amsterdam. Delta and Northwest have merged.

Syed Jafri, who was on board the flight after traveling from the United Arab Emirates, told The A.P. that the incident occurred during the plane’s descent. Mr. Jafri said he was seated three rows behind the passenger and said he saw a glow, and noticed a smoke smell. Then, he said, “a young man behind me jumped on him.”

“Next thing you know, there was a lot of panic,” he said.

J.P. Karas, 55, of Wyandotte, Mich., said he was driving down a road near the airport and saw a Delta jet at the end of the runway, surrounded by police cars, an ambulance, a bus and some TV trucks.

“I don’t ever recall seeing a plane on that runway ever before and I pass by there frequently,” he told The A.P.

Mr. Karas said it was difficult to tell what was going on, but it looked like the front wheel was off the runway.

Peter Baker contributed reporting from Hawaii, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.