Country
code

West Azerbaijan

Crash of a Boeing 727-286 in Orūmīyeh: 78 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2011 at 1945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EP-IRP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tehran - Orumiyeh
MSN:
20945/1048
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
IR277
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
96
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
78
Aircraft flight hours:
9019
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Tehran-Mehrabad Airport at 1815LT with a delay of more than two hours due to poor weather conditions at destination. While descending to Orūmīyeh Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls, visibility 800 metres and three ceilings at 1,500, 2,000 and 6,000 feet. After the crew was unable to intercept the ILS, the decision to initiate a go-around procedure was taken. Approaching the stall speed, the stick shaker activated and the aircraft probably encountered icing conditions. In a left bank angle estimated between 26 and 40°, the engine n°3 and 1 failed. At an altitude of 600 feet and at a speed of 96 knots, the flaps were retracted, causing the aircraft to stall and to impact the ground. The aircraft broke in three but there was no fire. 70 passengers and 8 crew members were killed while 27 other occupants were injured, some seriously.
Probable cause:
Bad weather conditions for the aircraft and inappropriate actions by cockpit crew to confront the situation is the main cause of the accident. The following contributing factors were identified:
- The old technology of aircraft systems,
- Absence of a suitable simulator for adverse weather conditions,
- Failure to correctly follow the operating manual by the flight crew,
- Inadequate cockpit resources management (CRM).

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20E in Orūmīyeh: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 2006 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
15-2233
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tehran - Orūmīyeh
MSN:
333
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While approaching Orūmīyeh Airport, the crew contacted ATC and reported technical problems with the landing gear. They seemed to be down but the three green lights did not came on in the cockpit panel. In accordance with ATC, the crew completed a low pass in front of the control tower then initiated a circuit when both engines flamed out. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located 12 km from Orūmīyeh Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed, among them General Ahmad Kazemi, Chief Commander of the Revolutionary Guard Land Forces and Commander Hanif, Head of the Land Forces intelligence services.
Probable cause:
It is believed that both engines failed due to icing.

Crash of a Gulfstream GII near Qatur: 14 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7T-VHB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Algiers - Nicosia - Tehran
MSN:
230
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing an official government flight from Algiers to Tehran with an intermediate stop in Nicosia, carrying four crew members, one journalist and nine members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Algeria en route to Tehran to take part to peace talks about the Iran-Iraq war. While cruising at an altitude of 37'000 feet over Iraq, the crew was instructed by ATC to leave the Iraqi airspace and to divert to Ankara. Few minutes later, the airplane was shot down by the pilot of an Iraqi MiG-25PD. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and crashed in a mountainous terrain located near Qatur. The aircraft was destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed, among them Mohammed Seddik Benyahia, Minister of Foreign Affair of the Republic of Algeria.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the pilot of an Iraqi MiG-25PD.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 1 in Khaneh

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EP-ACF
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khaneh – Tehran
MSN:
04060
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the twin engine aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest few dozen yards farther. All 12 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The reason why the crew decided to abandon the takeoff remains unknown.