One answer might be to harden a plane's removable luggage containers so they could absorb a portion of a blast.

"Our major concern in making the luggage containers stronger was that we'd increase the weight of the aircraft," said Mr. Polski.

To prevent fire, the hardened luggage container includes features that release fire-extinguishing powder in the container when the pressure exceeds a certain level.

The pair put the box in the luggage container at the back.

Hi-loaders lift the heavy luggage containers to the gate of the cargo hold.

The ground crew push the luggage containers into the hold.

If it has landed, they rise, the ground crew push the luggage container on the hi-loader, which carries it down.

The luggage container is then pushed on one of the tractors dollies.

The tags on the aircraft's luggage containers fluttered frantically.

He said that the piece of debris was actually a brown luggage container.