Investigators say the co-pilot behind the failed hijacking of a FlyDubai flight intended to crash the aircraft into Ben-Gurion Airport, with more than 180 passengers on board.

The co-pilot of Israel-bound FlyDubai flight FZ1073 planned to crash the aircraft into Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport, according to multiple US and Israeli media reports citing sources close to the multinational investigation.

The reports identify the attacker as Hamam Al-Hammami, an Omani national, and suggest he was most likely acting alone.

After attacking captain Smit Machchhar, Al-Hammami allegedly planned to fly the plane toward Ben-Gurion Airport using normal approach and landing procedures before crashing it at the last moment. There were more than 180 passengers on board at the time.

According to Israeli media quoting sources with knowledge of the investigation, the co-pilot had prepared for the attack over several months and had previously flown to Israel to gather information. Other reports claim he had planned to crash another flight to Tel Aviv earlier this year but changed his mind.

Israeli Channel 12 also reported that Israel has asked the UAE to expand its questioning to include the flight crew, as questions mount over the harrowing minutes between the co-pilot stabbing the captain and passengers rushing into the cockpit to subdue the attacker and stabilise the plane.

In the first comments by Emirati investigators on Saturday, UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi said the co-pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 “attempted to carry out a terrorist attack” when he attacked the flight captain with an axe and tried to take control of the aircraft.

The UAE is leading the investigation, with security agencies from four regional countries, including Israel, working to establish the co-pilot’s motives. The United States and other Western governments are also assisting.