Seems to me it was quite successful in flooding news sources and the minds of present and future airline travelers. It was an attempted act of blowing up an aircraft, I'll give it that. Regardless of the success or failure of blowing up the aircraft, it succeeded in terrorizing and should thus be addressed and dealt with. It should not be downplayed as being merely "attempted".
Excellent question. When you find an answer, please explain another one:
Alleged as it applies to:
1. bank-robber; criminal; murderer; rapist; drunk; President
2. Victim;