Iran Air Flight 227

Overview

On 9 January 2011 a scheduled Iran Air passenger service operating between Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran and Urmia Airport in West Azarbaijan province attempted to land in adverse weather and was involved in a crash near the destination. The aircraft was an Iran Air Boeing 727-286Adv, operated by the national carrier Iran Air and carrying passengers and crew. The airframe bore the registration EP-IRP.

Aircraft and route

The aircraft type involved, a Boeing 727-200 series derivative, is a three-engine, narrow-body jet that was widely used for short- and medium-haul routes for several decades. The flight originated at Mehrabad in Tehran and was scheduled for a relatively short domestic leg to Urmia, a regional city in northwestern Iran.

Circumstances of the accident

Available reliable accounts indicate the crew attempted to land during poor meteorological conditions. Low visibility and bad weather were cited as important factors in the loss of control during the approach or landing phase. Emergency services responded to the scene at Urmia; the accident prompted national attention and subsequent reviews.

Investigation and aftermath

• Investigations into accidents of this type typically examine weather data, air traffic control communications, crew actions, aircraft systems and airport facilities.
• Incidents involving approach and landing in bad weather commonly lead to safety recommendations covering operational limits, crew training, and ground-based navigation or landing aids.
• The Urmia accident reinforced the need for strict adherence to weather minima and for clear decision-making when approach conditions deteriorate.

Note: If you are researching a particular flight number or event, contemporary reports, official investigation summaries and aviation safety databases are the most reliable sources for casualty figures, probable cause determinations and formal recommendations. For quick reference to related entities mentioned here, see Urmia Airport, Iran, Mehrabad International Airport, Iran Air, Boeing 727-286Adv and the aircraft registration EP-IRP.