The fake bomb was a test. Would federal security screeners at Newark Liberty International find it, as expected?
Not only did they not detect it when it left, the bag ended up on another airline after arriving at its destination in Amsterdam.
The bag should have been removed by members of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff after a security exercise the agency periodically conducts at airports across the country, said Ann Davis, a spokeswoman for the TSA’s northeastern region.
The undetected, then misdirected bag led to “an embarrassing breach of security,” reported the Newark Star-Ledger.
There was no threat to the airplane passengers because the bomb was a fake.
The Newark airport is one of the largest in the US and was one of three facilities used by terrorists on 11 September, 2001.
There was no immediate explanation of how the fake bomb first passed security but then ended up on another airline in Amsterdam.
The Star-Ledger reported earlier this year that thousands of checked bags were not being electronically screened for explosives as required by Congress.
The newspaper also reported in October that confidential TSA reports found screeners were missing one-in-four fake explosives and weapons.
The TSA is investigating.
Said Ms Davis: “Security at Newark Airport is of the highest caliber.”
Report by David Wilkening
