A Boeing 737 passenger jet began breaking apart in midair shortly after departing the Iranian city of Mashhad, with ceiling panels tearing loose amid severe shaking, structural components exposed and objects falling onto passengers, the website infohub.kz reports.
The aircraft, operated by the Iranian airline Sepehran, was flying a domestic route from Mashhad to Kermanshah. The problems began almost immediately after takeoff.
According to preliminary information from the Iranian agency Mehr, a landing gear tire on the Boeing burst during the takeoff roll or climb. There were also reports of possible damage to one of the engines.
The pilot declared an emergency and requested permission to return to Mashhad airport. By then, the plane had begun shaking violently.
Video posted on social media shows ceiling lining panels tearing away inside the cabin and metal structures becoming exposed. Pieces of paneling and items from overhead bins fell onto passengers. People can be heard screaming and trying to shield their heads with their hands.
Despite the damage and severe vibration, the crew managed to turn the aircraft around and make an emergency landing at the airport it had departed from. None of the passengers on board were injured.
After landing, the people were led off the plane and rebooked onto another flight to Kermanshah. One of Mashhad airport's runways was temporarily closed for inspection.
The final cause of the incident is still being determined. Investigators will need to establish whether the severe vibration was caused by the tire damage, an engine malfunction or a combination of several technical problems.