Passengers help foil attack on Detroit-bound plane

ROMULUS, Mich. – An attempted terrorist attack on a Christmas Day flight began with a pop and a puff of smoke — sending passengers scrambling to subdue a man who claimed to be acting on orders from al-Qaida, officials and travelers said.

The commotion began as Northwest Airlines Flight 253, carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members from Amsterdam, prepared to land in Detroit. Travelers said they smelled smoke, saw a glow, and heard what sounded like firecrackers. At