View source for Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

'''Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab''' is a [[Muslim]] terrorist from [[Nigeria]], acting on orders from [[Al Qaeda]] to blow up a commercial American airliner on Christmas Day 2009. Abdulmutallab flew on Northwest Flight 253 bound for Detroit,<ref>[http://newsmax.com/Newsfront/US-New-Terror-Threat/2009/12/26/id/344659 Failed Xmas Attack Raises New Security Concerns, NewsMax, December 26, 2009]</ref> tried and failed to detonate an explosive device before being taken into custody. He was an engineering student at the UK's  London's University College.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,581180,00.html Suspect Charged in Thwarted Terror Plot Aboard Detroit-Bound Jet, Fox News, December 26, 2009]</ref>

He used [[PETN]], a powerful plastic explosive. A few ounces can blast open an airplane, so it is the preferred weapon of terrorists.  Abdulmutallab tried to ignite a two-part concoction of PETN and possibly a glycol-based liquid explosive in a bomb concealed in his underwear.  It produced a popping noise, smoke, and some fire, but no deadly detonation, because he used the wrong technique.  Al-Qaeda's branch in Yemen quickly took the credit