An Omani co pilot on a Flydubai flight allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft and crash it after an alleged hijacking attempt was foiled, according to a report by an Italian newspaper.

The report claimed that Omani co pilot Hammam al Hammami attacked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft. According to the report, the alleged plan was to kill the captain, fly the aircraft to Tel Aviv in Israel and crash it into a building.

The report, citing Israeli intelligence, said Hammami later realised that the original plan could not be carried out and instead attempted to crash the aircraft in the Saudi desert.

He reportedly switched off the autopilot and pushed the control stick, causing the aircraft to lose 16,000 feet of altitude within 30 seconds. He also allegedly attempted to damage the aircraft controls before passengers overpowered him.

Yaniv Hayoun, a passenger who works as a plumber, reportedly pulled the control stick towards himself and helped prevent the aircraft from losing further altitude. Two off duty pilots then took control of the aircraft and safely landed it.

Captain Smit Machchhar was taken to hospital, while Hammami was handed over to Saudi authorities.

Israel has described the incident as a terror attack and is investigating how an Omani pilot was cleared to fly into Tel Aviv despite the absence of diplomatic relations between Oman and Israel and existing security restrictions.