The Sepehran Boeing 737 incident saw severe vibrations dislodge cabin ceiling and overhead components before pilots safely rejected take-off in Mashhad.
MASHHAD: The Sepehran Boeing 737 incident left passengers facing frightening scenes inside the cabin after severe vibrations during take-off caused ceiling panels and overhead components to come loose at Mashhad airport in Iran.
The Boeing 737-300, registered EP-FSU, was operating Sepehran flight SHI-4358 from Mashhad to Kermanshah when the problem developed as the aircraft accelerated along the runway on September 14.
Video from inside the cabin showed intense shaking as interior components became dislodged. Some passengers could be seen using their hands and arms to support loose sections above their seats.
Despite the dramatic scenes, no injuries were reported.
What caused the Boeing 737 to shake?
Initial reports circulating after the incident suggested that a tyre had burst or separated and caused subsequent mechanical problems.
However, more detailed information subsequently reported from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization identified abnormal vibration, known as shimmy, in the main landing gear.
According to that account, a defective shimmy damper caused damage to the landing-gear structure, including the lower torsion link, which then resulted in tyre damage. The authority reportedly found the damper was in poor condition because of leakage, wear and corrosion.
That finding is important because it reverses the sequence suggested by some early reports. Rather than a tyre problem necessarily causing the vibration, the reported investigation indicates the landing-gear vibration led to tyre damage.
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Did the aircraft make an emergency return?
No, according to the more detailed aviation incident record.
The crew rejected the take-off and stopped the aircraft on the runway rather than becoming airborne and later returning to Mashhad.
Planespotters also records EP-FSU as suffering a high-speed rejected take-off on September 14 following main landing-gear damage, with severe airframe vibrations dislodging ceiling panels and overhead locker components.
The Sepehran Boeing 737 incident ended without reported injuries. Passengers eventually continued their journey aboard another aircraft, according to aviation reporting.
The aircraft involved is around 30 years old and entered service with Sepehran Airlines in 2023.
The incident demonstrates why preliminary accounts of aviation emergencies can change as investigators examine aircraft components and operational data.
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Impact to expect
Scrutiny. The findings could increase attention on aircraft maintenance and landing-gear inspections at Sepehran Airlines as aviation authorities examine the mechanical failure behind the severe vibrations.
