The Explosive Device of Flight 253

The explosive device reported to be found in Abdulmutallab’s possession was a simple improvised explosive device concealed in his underwear.

It consisted of a small container, probably a plastic bag containing approximately 80 grams of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), a powerful explosive in a powder format which is generally used to compose plastic explosives.

He intended to detonate this charge with an unknown type of acid in a plastic syringe which on impact would produce a chemical reaction that would ignite a flame or small explosion and by its power cause the main charge to explode.

According to American press reports an amount similar to that in Abdulmutallab’s underwear could have caused a hole in a planes body thus bringing it down mid-air.