Source: Plane Bomb Suspect Chose Vulnerable Seat

MyFoxTwinCities.com ^ | 12/27/09 | FoxNews

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

The man accused of attempting to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day appeared to have deliberately chosen a vulnerable seat on the plane, an expert says.

A government official told Fox News Saturday that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was sitting in seat 19A, which, according to the official, is above the plane's fuel tanks and wing and next to the skin of the aircraft.

In the event of an explosion, the official said, there is a high likelihood that it would be accelerated by the fuel tank, increasing the chance that the plane’s structure would be damaged and the plane would be brought down.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

More.....

[Lazamataz]

A government official told Fox News Saturday that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was sitting in seat 19A, which, according to the official, is above the plane's fuel tanks and wing and next to the skin of the aircraft. In the event of an explosion, the official said, there is a high likelihood that it would be accelerated by the fuel tank, increasing the chance that the plane’s structure would be damaged and the plane would be brought down.

Sounds like a good way to identify would-be terrorists.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

“The official said when homeland security officials analyze attempted plane attack plots, the suspect’s seat selection is one of the first things they check.”

Yep.

[maggief]

“The system worked.”

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

“The system worked.”

Nope.

;-)

[FormerACLUmember]

Carefully and meticulously planned.

Except for the detonator malfunction and outraged passengers, Obama Jr. would have brought down the plane.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

If they ever figure out the trigger thing.....we’re screwed.

[HighWheeler]

This chart shows the location of "Row 19", which would be over the forward wing spar. This is the location that the shoe bomber also was seated. The leading edge wing spar (beam) is in tension during flight and is vulnerable to a catastrophic explosion, the plane's wing possibly separating from the plane, which would lead to immediate tumbling.

[browardchad]

This "vulnerable seat" was pointed to by others, such as Wretchard (Richard Fernandez) at PJ's Belmont Club, two days ago, complete with plane diagrams:

Over Detroit

[goldstategop]

We just got lucky the explosives malfunctioned. 300 people could easily have been killed had they gone off as intended.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[maggief]

Breaking news: Surf's up! ;)

[Navy Patriot]

This is corroborated by the Islamic terrorist “Operation Bojinka” plot to plant explosive devices under seats above the center fuel tank. One such device exploded but failed to detonate the tank, and the plot was exposed.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

The CIC.....

(Coward In Chief)

[maggief]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h8vQklBs9xrxofvmdvPzvz4Ml1DQ

Al-Qaeda vows revenge for Yemeni strike: TV

(AFP) – 5 days ago

(snip)

The New York Times reported that US President Barack Obama approved firepower, intelligence and other support for Yemen’s efforts against Al-Qaeda.

[Ditter]

I haven’t flown internationally in several years but I don’t remember being able to request a specific seat, other than saying aisle or window. I guess now you can say aisle, window or fuel tank.

[Bluebird Singing]

Is there protocol through Homeland Security for screening/scrutinizing anyone who reserves the vulnerable seats on all various aircraft?

Here we have a known jihadist reserving the most vulnerable seat on this plane, with a one-way ticket on Christmas Day, and this comes as a surprise?

[HighWheeler]

Here is the Airbus 330 layout, showing that the selection of Row 16, where the struggle took place, is close to the wing spar and tank:

-- -- --

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Excellent point. All of my international travel is booked by the group admin. I can request aisle or window, only.....come to think of it......

[Army Air Corps]

Maybe there was inside help in the booking of his seat?

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Article states it was seat 19A....does that change anything...?

Also, did this article get the seat wrong?