ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) - An attempted terrorist attack on a Christmas Day
flight began with a pop and a puff of smoke - sending passengers
scrambling to subdue a Nigerian man who claimed to be acting on orders
from al-Qaida to blow up the airliner, officials and travelers said.
The commotion began as Northwest Airlines Flight 253, carrying 278
passengers and 11 crew members from Amsterdam, prepared to land in
Detroit just before noon Friday. Travelers said they smelled smoke, saw
a glow, and heard what sounded like firecrackers. At least one person
climbed over others and jumped on the man, who officials say was trying
to ignite an explosive device.
"It sounded like a firecracker in a pillowcase," said Peter Smith, a
passenger from the Netherlands. "First there was a pop, and then
(there) was smoke."
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091226/D9CR18JO0.html