Iranian Boeing 737 Ceiling Collapses After Tire Detaches

Passengers aboard a Sepehran Airlines Boeing 737 experienced moments of sheer panic during a domestic Iranian flight when the aircraft encountered a severe malfunction shortly after takeoff from Mashhad en route to Kermanshah. Instead of continuing to its destination, the crew was forced to turn back to the departure airport and execute an emergency landing.

According to reports published in Iran and cited by international media, a tire detached from one of the landing gear wheels shortly after takeoff. At the same time, the aircraft experienced an engine-related malfunction and violent shaking that intensified as the flight progressed.

Terror in the skies: The Iranian aircraft began disintegrating in mid-air above passengers (Photo: Arab networks)

The pilots decided against continuing to Kermanshah and requested clearance to return to Mashhad. At that point, signs of the shaking's severity began accumulating in the passenger cabin: overhead storage compartments flew open, objects tumbled into seats and aisles, and during the return approach, sections of the cabin ceiling panels fell away. Footage released from inside the aircraft shows panicked passengers as parts of the plane's internal structure became exposed above their heads.

Despite the severe turbulence, the aircraft successfully returned to Mashhad and landed safely. According to the airline's statement and initial reports, no one was injured. Passengers were subsequently transferred to an alternative flight that continued to their destination.

Following the incident, the runway at Mashhad airport was temporarily closed for inspections and removal of tire debris, then reopened. Iranian authorities are expected to examine the aircraft and the circumstances of the malfunction to determine what caused the tire detachment and whether any connection exists between that failure and the shaking and damage sustained inside the passenger cabin.