Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 30 October 1985
Aircraft Type: Boeing 727
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, TX (DFW) – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Minor, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Cargo pod of American Airlines Flight 203Cargo pod of American Airlines Flight 203
Category: Unlawful Interference
A device detonated aboard American Airlines Flight 203 at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, following landing from Austin, Texas. The device was located in the forward cargo bin with checked baggage. Upon recovery, the cargo pod revealed metal ammunition can, steel colored pellets, and black powder residue. There were no injuries reported, and the damage was limited to charred baggage within the pod. The bag belonged to a female passenger, who was checked curb side at the airport in Austin by her husband, who did not accompany her on the flight. The husband was later charged with two counts of destruction of aircraft, including one for placing the device on board and the other for destruction.A device detonated aboard American Airlines Flight 203 at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas, following landing from Austin, Texas. The device was located in the forward cargo bin with checked baggage. Upon recovery, the cargo pod revealed metal ammunition can, steel colored pellets, and black powder residue. There were no injuries reported, and the damage was limited to charred baggage within the pod. The bag belonged to a female passenger, who was checked curb side at the airport in Austin by her husband, who did not accompany her on the flight. The husband was later charged with two counts of destruction of aircraft, including one for placing the device on board and the other for destruction.

Description

A device detonated aboard American Airlines Flight 203, at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas just after the aircraft landed on a flight from Austin, Texas. The device was contained in a vinyl tote bag and located in the forward cargo bin with the checked baggage. The cargo pod containing the device was recovered from the aircraft and moved to an isolated area. Further examination of the cargo pod revealed metal ammunition can, steel colored pellets, and black powder residue. There were no injuries reported and the resulting damage was confined to charred baggage within the cargo pod and a scorched panel in the cargo bay of the aircraft. The bag belonged to a female passenger and was reportedly checked curb side at the airport in Austin by her husband, who did not accompany her on the flight. The husband was later charged with two counts of destruction of aircraft to include one count for putting the device on board, and the other for destruction.

Primary Cause

Unknown ? Possible explosive device.Unknown ? Possible explosive device.

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