The Omani Flydubai co-pilot who hijacked a passenger plane last week planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion International Airport in central Israel, UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al Shamsi said on Friday.

Hammam al Hammami plotted the 9/11-inspired suicide attack before he was ultimately thwarted by the other pilot and several passengers aboard the commercial flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Sept. 30. The intended target was the Israeli airport’s passenger terminal, according to the Emirati official.

Recommended Stories

Israel-bound flight forced to land in Saudi Arabia after ‘violent incident’ between pilots

Israel received list of Flydubai passengers and crew before hijacking attempt: Report

Saudi Arabia, Israel, and UAE work together on investigation into Flydubai suspect: What to know