Failed Times Square bomber boards plane, despite no-fly list

Failed Times Square bomber boards plane, despite no-fly list

Authorities removed suspect from Emirates flight as it prepared to leave gate at JFK.

May 5, 2010 8:26 by Katherine Azmeh

The Pakistani-born, US citizen, Faisal Shahzad, suspected in the failed Times Square bombing boarded a UAE-bound flight Monday, despite the presence of his name on the nation’s no-fly list, the Associated Press said Wednesday.

Shahzad was permitted to board Emirates airline flight 202 at JFK International Airport after paying cash for his ticket. The suspect reportedly passed security without being detained, and was seated in the plane as it readied for gate departure.

According to the AP, Shahzad’s name was recognized by Customs and Border Protection on the passenger list and the pilot was notified and the jetliner’s door opened to admit officials who took Shahzad into custody.

Shahzad admitted to authorities that he was responsible for the Times Square car bomb and that he had received training in Pakistan, according to the report in Wednesday’s AP.