Hacker says he made airplane change course

Chris Roberts, the security researcher who was removed from a flight over security concern, says that he was able to make a plane change course.

FBI documents made their way to Canadian news organization APTN. The affidavit signed by FBI agent Mike Hurley, said: "[Roberts] stated that he successfully commanded the system he had accessed to issue the ‘CLB' or climb command. He stated that he thereby caused one of the airplane engines to climb resulting in a lateral or sideways movement of the plane during one of these flights."

"We believe Roberts had the ability and the willingness to use the equipment then with him to access or attempt to access the [inflight entertainment system] and possibly the flight control systems on any aircraft equipped with an [inflight entertainment system] and it would endanger the public safety to allow him to leave the Syracuse airport that evening with that equipment."

The airline said in April: "Given Mr Roberts's claims regarding manipulating aircraft systems, we've decided it's in the best interest of our customers and crew members that he not be allowed to fly United."

"However, we are confident that our flight control systems could not be accessed through the techniques he describes."

Source: The Inquirer