The Omani pilot accused of attempting to hijack a Flydubai passenger plane had planned to crash the aircraft at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport after obtaining landing clearance.

Axar.az reports, citing Israeli Channel 12, that Hammam Al-Hamami planned to take control of the aircraft over Jordan and wait until he received permission to land in Israel before crashing into a building or another aircraft at the airport. Investigators said the plan was intended to prevent the plane from being intercepted before reaching the airport.

According to the investigation, Al-Hamami had visited Israel several times while working as a Flydubai pilot and used one visit in June to gather intelligence at Ben Gurion Airport.

According to the report, he began preparing for an attack planned for July and had boarded a Flydubai flight carrying Israeli passengers with the intention of crashing the aircraft in Israel. He ultimately postponed the plan after discovering that he knew one of the crew members.

The attempted hijacking was later thwarted when Indian pilot Smith Machhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to hear the struggle and helping prevent a larger disaster.

The investigation into Al-Hamami is continuing in the United Arab Emirates.