Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have confirmed, for the first time, new details from the interrogation of the Omani co-pilot who planned to crash a flydubai plane in Israel. The co-pilot told investigators he was inspired by the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers and sought to kill himself and his passengers over Israel.

His target was the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. The Omani co-pilot planned to take control of the aircraft and crash it into the building in order to cause as many deaths as possible.

According to his confession, the idea of carrying out an attack with an airplane was tied to his decision to become a pilot in the first place. Signs of radicalization began in 2017, while he was studying in Australia.

The co-pilot described his preparations for the attack, which included consuming content that encourages terrorism and boxing training with a private coach. Two earlier flights to Tel Aviv served as a way for him to study the route and the airport.

The Emiratis say he met flydubai’s professional and security requirements.

Officials also shared details of what happened in the air close to Israel. The co-pilot attacked the captain with the cockpit’s emergency crash axe before passengers and crew overpowered him. A reserve flydubai pilot who was traveling on the flight then took control and landed the plane in Saudi Arabia.

The co-pilot gave a detailed confession in the presence of his lawyer and claimed he acted alone. Investigators are continuing to examine whether there were accomplices or additional connections.