Bomb timed to blow up jet over American coast
The device, found on a UPS aircraft by Leicestershire police officers shortly after 3.30am on October 29, was timed to go off seven hours later.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "If the device had not been removed from the aircraft the activation could have occurred over the eastern seaboard of the US."
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe bomb, disguised as a printer cartridge, was found following a tip-off from Saudi intelligence. It, and another found in Dubai, contained at least 300g of the powerful explosive PETN.
The police spokesman added the bomb was "disrupted" when the cartridge was removed.