[Redbob]

"Officials said there was enough explosive material to blow up a plane."

Somebody has darned big feet.
OTOH, if 3 ozs will blow up an airplane, I'd sure like to know what kind of explosive that is!

[taxcontrol]

If you had a seat between the wings 1 oz of crystalized ether should do the trick. I would also think that 3 oz of TNT (available in most landmines, etc.) should work as well. Though TNT or C4 would need a "kicker" charge.

After all, all that is needed is enough explosive to punch through 1/16 of aluminum (cabin deck) and puncture the fuel lines. Fuel should spray and the residual heat should set off the fuel. Nice toasty fire right around the fuel pump. Might not go boom, but it would bring the plane down.

When it comes to explosives, the question is NEVER how much. Rather, it's how much and where.

[eno_]

Three ounces of high explosive is no joke. A shoe bomber would also have been told where to put his feet. It could screw thing up big-time.