Narrative: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.
Classification:
Sabotage
Damaged on the ground
Sources:
» Aircraft hijackings and other criminal acts against civil aviation : statistical and narrative reports / FAA
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, TX to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, TX as the crow flies is 304 km (190 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.