A Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737 was forced to make an emergency landing after a mechanical failure reportedly caused the aircraft's ceiling to partially collapse during a domestic flight in Iran on Tuesday, September 15.
The flight, operating from Mashhad Nejad International Airport (MHD) to Kermanshah International Airport (KSH), was compelled to execute an emergency return to Mashhad, according to news.com.au.
Mid-air panic and ceiling collapse
Footage from inside the cabin captures passengers crying out in terror as the plane shudders dramatically. Within moments, the ceiling partially gives way, prompting some travellers to shield themselves. Fellow passengers then attempt to support what remains of the collapsing ceiling while the distressed shouting intensifies.
Reports suggest one of the aircraft's tyres may have ruptured shortly after departure, though neither investigators nor the airline have officially verified this.
Safe landing and investigation
Flight data indicates that shortly after departing at 5:30pm, the Boeing 737-300 turned back to Mashhad, touching down at approximately 5:39pm. The Indian Express reports the passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft and transferred onto an alternative service from Mashhad, in eastern Iran, to Kermanshah in the nation's west.
No casualties have been documented following the episode, and no injuries or fatalities have been recorded. Iranian civil aviation authorities are understood to have launched an investigation.
