BREAKING: Attempted airline bombing

9:40 PM: An unidentified male reportedly flying on a domestic flight from Washington, DC to Denver attempted to ignite some type of explosive smuggled aboard. Warnings have been issued to all domestic airlines. This incident was reported to this agency by an air traffic controller who was purportedly involved in the incident. We are attempting to secure more detailed information at this time. BREAKING – More details to follow.

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Update 1: 10:38 PM: The Northeast Intelligence Network has confirmed that Mohammed al MODADI, a diplomat from Qatar stationed at the Washington, DC embassy, attempted to ignite explosives smuggled inside his shoe. According to a FAA source and further confirmed through a source within the FBI, al MODADI has diplomatic immunity… Update 11:00 PM ET: “There is no misunderstanding,” according to a Federal Air Marshal speaking to Douglas J. Hagmann, Director of the Northeast Intelligence Network on the strict condition of anonymity. This was a clear incident of attempted terrorism, according to this source, who referenced news reports surfacing that al Modadi was involved in a “misunderstanding.” Mohammed al MODADI, 3rd Secretary and Vice-Consul at the Qatari Embassy in Washington, was subdued by at least one Federal Air Marshal aboard United Airlines flight 663 Wednesday night. The aircraft was carrying 157 passengers and 6 crew members, and landed in Denver at about 7:00 PM local time. Update 11:55 PM ET: According to a FBI source, the Qatari diplomat who reportedly attempted to ignite something he brought aboard Flight 663 during its last hour of flight is “taunting” investigators by demanding his release, citing diplomatic immunity. The FBI source in Denver states that al MODADI is demanding intervention by the Qatari embassy and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. “He is smug and uncooperative,” states this FBI source. Air Traffic Control audio of incident “censored.” The audio between Denver ATC and United Airlines flight 663 has allegedly been “censored for security purposes.” The transmissions between the pilot and tower, beginning at about 19 minutes into this audio clip, become “scrambled” in an otherwise normal audio clip. The scrambling of the audio between Denver and flight 663 takes place between 19:00 minutes and 21:00 minutes (MP3 format). See Northeast Intelligence Network for more details

Qatari diplomat causes security scare on U.S. flight

Keith Coffman Keith Coffman DENVER (Reuters) – A Qatari diplomat on a United Airlines flight from Washington to Denver caused a security alert after he was apparently caught smoking in the toilet and made a remark that was perceived as a threat. Qatar's ambassador to Washington called Wednesday's incident a "mistake" said the man was a diplomat traveling on official business. U.S. officials said the man was in custody and the incident did not appear to be serious. Coming just months after the failed "underwear" bomb attempt on Christmas Day, the scare prompted security officials to scramble two F-16 fighter jets to intercept the Boeing 757 aircraft and escort it to Denver International Airport where it landed at about 9 p.m. EDT. More...