On September 1, 2006, a Tupolev TU-154 (registration EP-MCF) operated by Iran Airtour was involved in an aviation accident near Mashhad, Iran during landing or approach. 28 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A nose gear tire failure caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and ignite. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A runway excursion and subsequent fire at Mashhad Airport resulted in 28 fatalities and numerous injuries following a tire failure.
What happened
During the landing phase on runway 14L at Mashhad Airport, a tire on the nose landing gear of the aircraft burst. This mechanical failure caused the crew to lose directional control of the plane. As a result, the aircraft veered off the active runway and eventually came to a stop, at which point the vessel caught fire.
The incident resulted in a significant loss of life and many injuries. Records indicate that 28 fatalities occurred during the accident. Among the survivors, 54 passengers sustained serious injuries, while another 66 individuals managed to escape the wreckage without harm. The aircraft was completely destroyed by the fire.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the loss of control was the bursting of a nose gear tire during the landing roll.
Probable cause
A nose gear tire failure caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and ignite.