The Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up an airplane in the U.S. with a bomb in his underwear pleaded guilty Wednesday morning, surprising the jury, according to reports. 

Underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

"I intended to wreck a U.S. aircraft for the U.S. wreckage of Muslim lands and property," said Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 25, the so-called underwear bomber on the second day of the trial in which he was charged with conspiracy to commit terrorism. The trial was expected to last four weeks.

The defense's case was not expected to be strong. 

Abdulmutallab allegedly tried unsuccessfully to set off his concealed bomb Christmas Day, 2009. He thought his martyrdom would get him into heaven, according to testimony from U.S. Attorney Jonathan Tukel.

Airline passenger Michael Zantow testified Tuesday that he knew something was amiss on the plane when he heard a fellow passenger say to Abdulmutallab, "Dude, your pants are on fire."

Passengers then subdued the would-be terrorist.

He faces 30 years to life in prison.

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