Shoe Bomb Suspect Had Enough Explosives to Bring Down Plane

Dec. 24 -- The suspected suicide bomber seized Saturday on a trans-Atlantic flight had 10 ounces of an explosive material in his shoes that could have brought down the plane, sources told ABCNEWS.

FBI officials today said the suspect, identified by his British passport as Richard Reid, had a functional bomb tucked in his black high-top sneakers aboard American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami. The plane was rerouted to Boston's Logan International Airport.

"It is a functional device, it could have exploded as configured," Charles Prouty, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston office, said at a press conference today. "It would have resulted in significant damage and we did avert a major disaster."

Officials at Logan Airport described the substance as consistent with the military plastic explosive C-4, a clay-like substance that is easy to mold and shape. C-4 is believed to have been used in the attack on the USS Cole that killed 17 American sailors.

"Even a small explosion on a plane at altitude in a pressurized cabin can be extraordinarily dangerous," said aviation security expert Brian Jenkins.

First Court Appearance

Appearing dazed — his explosive shoes replaced by prison slippers and an orange jump suit — Reid, was made his first court appearance today before a federal judge in Boston. During the 10-minute hearing, the handcuffed Reid sat at the defense table by himself. He was not represented by a lawyer but has requested one.

When U.S. Magistrate Judith Dein asked him if he understood the charges against him, Reid nodded yes. Asked if he promised to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth under oath, Reid just shrugged.

"Is that a 'Yes,'" Dein asked.

"Yes," Reid said.

Prosecutors have accused Reid of interfering with a flight crew through assault and intimidation, a charge that carries a term of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Reid is being held without bail at the Plymouth County Correctional Center until his bail hearing scheduled for Friday. He did not enter a plea today because it was not a formal arraignment. Reid is under suicide watch and is scheduled to undergo psychiatric evaluation before Friday's court appearance.