According to THE BOSTON GLOBE, the GX-4 explosives could have blown a large hole in the fuselage, causing an almost certain crash. This was by an explosive expert from the FBI.
Saab Driver - "The man appeared to be an Arab carrying a false passport issued in Belgium three weeks ago in the name of Richard Reid. WBZ-TV (Ch. 4) reported him as being 28-years-old."
The Boston Globe Article said quite plainly that Richard Reid is a JAMAICAN. The photo shows a man with a hood, which covered his dreadlock hair style.
Jamaicans also typically have English sounding names, and scumbag is 6'4", which is much taller than the average Arab.
Celebrate Diversity!