Justice Dept. charges suspected terrorist with trying to blow up jet in Detroit on Christmas

Terror suspect charged in failed airliner bombing

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has charged the alleged Christmas Day terrorist with attempting to destroy an airplane.

The Justice Department says 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab had a device containing a high explosive attached to his body. The government says that as the flight neared Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Friday, Abdulmutallab set off the device, but it sparked a fire instead of an explosion.

According to an affidavit filed in federal court in Detroit, a preliminary analysis of the device shows that it contained PETN, also known as pentaerythritol.

The government alleges that Abdulmutallab told passengers that his stomach was upset, then pulled a blanket over himself. Passengers then heard popping noises.