TSA Takes 10 Hours to Discover Its Test Image Caused a Bomb Scare
May 5, 2006 — -- At 1:37 p.m. last Wednesday, an alert Transportation Safety Agency screener at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport spotted what looked like a bomb -- see the ABC exclusive X-Ray image -- and pressed his alarm. That was just about the last thing the TSA did right in terms of identifying the image.
It was not until after 10:30 that night, more than 10 hours later, that the federal agency discovered that image was a test image designed to check the alertness of screeners, the TSA confirmed. The screener was alert. The software was not, and it never alerted authorities to the fact that it was a test image.
In the interim, the "serious software glitch" caused a massive bomb scare and a two-hour security clampdown, during which cops and federal employees hunted for the suspect and the carry-on luggage -- neither of which could be found. It also cost Delta more than $1.3 million in business losses at the nation's busiest airport, according to a letter Delta wrote to TSA.
The image, seen here enhanced for brightness and with certain identifying marks removed, bears a very strong likeness to a bomb, two of the nation's senior bomb technicians who have reviewed it tell ABC News. It was intended to, since that was the point of the TSA test, the TSA confirmed.
The large dark orange mass represents "organic matter" such as plastic explosive. The narrow pencil-like object running through the right side of the orange matter is a very good image of a potential detonator. And, if you look down to the bottom of the image, just above 6 o'clock, you will see a dark, square box with thin lines running out the right side of it along the dark blue stripe. That stripe is an outside zipper. The box could be a potential timer and wiring. Below that item is a hairbrush. The green can on the left side is shaving cream.
To make matters worse, despite the massive bomb scare the TSA did not order the terminal evacuated and the passengers rescreened. That was a break with past procedures which, given the potential size of the bomb, could have put hundreds at risk.
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