According to officials cited in reports, the aircraft descended from an altitude of 34,000 feet to around 17,000 feet in what was described as an unusual situation. A second pilot reportedly intervened after the aircraft was placed on an unexpected flight path.
Sources said one pilot treated the situation as an emergency and issued an emergency code, while the other pilot allegedly attempted to turn the aircraft sharply. When the second pilot tried to regain control of the aircraft, resistance reportedly occurred.
According to the sources, the aircraft descended another 4,000 feet over nine minutes during an alleged physical confrontation between the pilots. One pilot then reportedly issued a hijacking code after observing what was described as aggressive behavior, prompting the cabin crew to intervene.
The alert reportedly prompted air traffic controllers on the ground to take action. The aircraft was diverted from Jordanian airspace and brought into Saudi airspace before making an emergency landing in Tabuk.
Saudi security forces reportedly surrounded the aircraft on the runway after it landed.
Sources said the flight crew included a Russian pilot and a Ukrainian co-pilot. Both pilots were reportedly removed from flight duty and taken into custody.
Authorities have reportedly launched an investigation into the incident, with the aircraft’s black box expected to be examined as part of efforts to determine exactly what happened inside the cockpit.
