Full Breakdown
Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737 Returns to Mashhad After Tire Failure Triggers Cabin-Ceiling Collapse
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Incident
On September 15 2026 a domestic Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737-300 (registration EP-FSU) departed Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport in Mashhad bound for Kermanshah. Shortly after take-off the aircraft experienced a failure of a landing-gear tyre. The crew declared an emergency, reported an engine problem, and turned the plane back to Mashhad. Violent vibrations caused interior ceiling panels to detach and fall into the aisle. The aircraft landed safely, the runway was briefly closed for inspection, and all passengers and crew were evacuated without injury.
Background & Context
Sepehran Airlines, founded in 2016, operates a fleet of twelve Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 aircraft with an average age of over 30 years. The airline’s fleet size and age have been highlighted in multiple reports, noting that sanctions have limited access to spare parts for Western-built airframes. On September 8 2026 the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control added Sepehran Airlines to a sanctions list targeting 27 Iranian carriers, citing concerns that the civil-aviation sector is used to transport weapons and illicit cargo.
Data & Statistics
- Fleet: 12 aircraft (all Boeing 737-300/-500) – average age > 30 years.
- Active 737-300s: 5; inactive 737-300s: 1 (as of the latest fleet data).
- Prior incident at Mashhad Airport: August 25 2026, a Sepehran 737-500 veered off runway 13L, nose-gear collapsed, no injuries.
Timeline
- September 8 2026 – U.S. Treasury sanctions Sepehran Airlines.
- September 15 2026 – Flight departs Mashhad, tyre failure occurs, emergency return, ceiling collapse, safe landing.
- Later September 15 2026 – Passengers transferred to a replacement flight to Kermanshah; runway reopened after inspection.
- Post-incident – Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization opens an investigation.
Official Statements & Responses
He added that the pilot reported an engine problem and that the aircraft returned safely. The Civil Aviation Organization of Iran confirmed that an investigation has been launched but has not yet determined whether the tyre issue, the engine malfunction, or a combination of both caused the cabin damage.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the primary fault:
- Iranian provincial-airport officials emphasized an engine technical failure, while other Iranian outlets highlighted a burst tyre.
- Some reports described the tyre as having “burst,” whereas Jafari insisted the incident involved only tread separation.
- The exact date of the event is reported as September 14 2026 by several Iranian outlets, while English-language coverage and the majority of international sources cite September 15 2026. No official timeline has been issued to reconcile these discrepancies.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The passengers left the aircraft safely and were sent to Kermanshah on a replacement flight,” — Hassan Jafari, public relations director for airports in Iran’s Razavi Khorasan province
Why It Matters
The incident underscores the operational challenges faced by Iranian carriers operating aging Western-built aircraft under sanctions that restrict parts procurement. Repeated mechanical failures at Mashhad Airport within weeks have drawn attention to maintenance practices and the safety oversight of airlines such as Sepehran.
What’s Next
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization will continue its technical investigation to determine the sequence of failures and whether maintenance, parts availability, or other factors contributed. Findings may influence future regulatory actions and could affect the airline’s ability to operate under existing sanctions.