Can electronic devices really make planes drop out of the air?

In a series of articles in the New York Times, Nick Bilton has been trying to find the answers to why we must turn off our electronic devices when a plane is taking off or landing. Article One; Article Two

FAA (US Federal Aviation Administration)

• In 2006 commissioned a report that rejected using consumer electronics during takeoff and landing
• “There was no evidence saying these devices can’t interfere with a plane, and there was no evidence saying that they can.”  – quote from the findings

Nick went off and had an independent company: EMT Labs do some testing. According to aircraft guidelines – Aircraft need to be able to withstand 100 volts per metre before they are certified as safe.

EMT results:

• Kindle – throws off so little voltage per metre (0.00003 volts) it’s no threat
• 100 Kindles does not throw off 100 x 0.00003 volts – you can’t add them together

“The only reason these rules exist from the F.A.A. is because of agency inertia and paranoia.”

Bill Ruck, principal engineer at CSI Telecommunications