Stinkbombe in Virgin Blue 737

[N5528P]

Police hunt Virgin stink bomber
May 19, 2006

Police are searching for a passenger who set off a "stink bomb" that filled the cabin of a Melbourne-bound flight with the smell of rotten eggs. They have warned that the person responsible for the prank could face serious charges.

The gas was released in the cabin of the Virgin Blue plane as it descended to Melbourne Airport last night. "The aircraft was landing at about 8pm when a strong odour was released into part of the plane," police spokeswoman Stacey Mair said.

"Detectives believe the odour came from a broken glass vial which contained a clear liquid which was giving off a 'rotten egg' smell." Ms Mair said the aircraft was emptied as normal after landing, with no passengers or crew requiring treatment, and police were called.

Virgin Blue spokesman Heather Jeffery said there were about 140 passengers on board the full flight from Hobart. Ms Jeffery said police and other emergency service workers examined the plane and it was released back to Virgin Blue at 1am. The plane will go back into service once it is ventilated.

Charges possible
"The combined Federal Police and Victoria Police investigation will continue with charges possible at a later stage," Ms Mair said. A spokesman for the Federal Police said even though the liquid released was non-hazardous, the incident was being taken seriously. "Once we get to the bottom of it, someone may or may not be charged," he said. Likely charges would be laid under the Civil Aviation Act for interfering with an aircraft/crew, the Aviation Transport Security Act for carriage of a weapon, and the Crimes Aviation Act for other offences.

Easy to buy
Glass vial stink bombs like the one used on the Virgin flight are available on eBay in various sized packets for between $1.50 and $25. But at Bernard's Magic Shop on Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, the items have been banned. Shop assistant Kristina said glass vial stink bombs were too easy to use and very fragile. "They're certainly available in Melbourne, but as far as I'm aware, in the history of Bernard's we have never sold them." she said. Practical jokers can, however, buy fart bags and other novelty items at the store. "We have construction workers who play jokes on their mates all the time," Kristina said.

Originalartikel zu finden unter: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/police-hunt-virgin-stink-bomber/2006/05/19/1147545500705.html#