Incident Details
Minutes after departing from Mashhad Airport, while cruising at flight level 230 and approximately 80 kilometers from the airport, the autopilot system disengaged and the crew detected a fire on engine number 4. Efforts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful. Air traffic control cleared the flight to return to Mashhad for an emergency landing.
Emergency Landing
The fire extended to the right wing, and engine number 4 detached from the aircraft. Despite the ongoing fire, the crew managed to land safely at Mashhad Airport 24 minutes after the initial problem. The airplane came to a stop on the runway.
Aftermath
All 230 occupants evacuated the aircraft without injury. The aircraft was partially destroyed; the right wing broke off and fell to the ground.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the probable cause was a fire on engine number 4 for unknown reasons.