U.S. officials said a Nigerian man who attempted to blow up a Northwest Air Lines flight landing in Detroit Christmas Day said he was acting on behalf of Al Qaeda.

"We believe this was an attempted act of terrorism," a White House official said.

U.S. intelligence officials said a passenger attempted to use an explosive device made up of a powdery substance and liquid, but the device failed, the Associated Press is reporting. Instead the passenger lit his thigh area on fire.

Witnesses aboard the plane said the passenger was then tackled by another man on the flight, who may have been burned as well.

Rep. Peter King, R-NY, said the suspect flew from Nigeria to Amsterdam on his way to Detroit.

Law enforcement officials have identified the passenger as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab.

Witness on the plane said the incident happened about 20 minutes before landing.

Passenger Syed Jafry of Holland, Mich. told the Detroit Free Press that other passengers restrained the suspect.

He said he saw "a pop and saw some smoke and fire" when the incident occurred, and there was a commotion for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Initially, officials reported the passenger set off fireworks that caused some injuries.

The incident took place on as Northwest Flight 253, an Airbus 330 carrying 278 passengers coming from Amsterdam, was landing in Detroit at about noon Friday, Delta, who have acquired Northwest, said in a statement.

"Upon approach to Detroit, a passenger caused a disturbance onboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253. The passenger was subdued immediately and the crew requested that law enforcement meet the flight upon arrival.

"The flight, operated by Northwest using an Airbus 330-300 aircraft with 278 passengers onboard, landed safely. The passenger was taken into custody and questioned by law enforcement authorities."

President Barack Obama has been briefed on the situation and has discussed it with officials from Hawaii, where he is on Christmas vacation with his family.

Airport security has been put on a heightened state, but the U.S. has not increased the terror threat level.

With files from the Associated Press