Iranian Army Helicopter Crashes Into Market in Isfahan Province, Killing Four
DORCHEH, Iran, February 24, 2026— An Iranian army helicopter on a routine training mission crashed into a busy fruit and vegetable market in the central province of Isfahan on February 24, 2026, killing both pilots and two civilian vendors, according to state media and local officials.
The aircraft, belonging to the army’s aviation unit, went down at 9:09 a.m. local time in the town of Dorcheh, approximately 330 kilometers south of the capital Tehran. The crash site lies near a major army airbase in Isfahan province, a region that hosts significant military infrastructure.
Emergency responders dispatched four ambulances to the scene immediately, according to Ali Nasiri, head of the provincial emergency medical services organization. State television footage broadcast following the incident showed wreckage scattered across the marketplace and emergency personnel working to extinguish flames.
Casualties and Identification
The Army Aviation Training Centre identified the deceased military personnel as Colonel Hamed Sarvazad, the pilot, and his co-pilot, Major Mojtaba Kiani. Two merchants working at their stalls within the market compound were also killed when the helicopter crashed and caught fire.
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Local authorities confirmed that no additional injuries were reported among other workers or bystanders in the market area. The impact caused damage to market structures, and emergency crews worked to clear debris and secure the site throughout the morning.
Cause Under Investigation
Iranian officials moved quickly to identify a probable cause. Mansour Shishehforoush, director general of Isfahan’s crisis management department, told the official Islamic Republic News Agency that a technical failure was responsible for the incident. The semi-official Fars news agency also cited technical malfunction as the likely cause.
The army center confirmed that the cause remains under formal investigation. Local judiciary chief Asadollah Jafari stated that he has opened a case and dispatched investigators to examine the circumstances.
Authorities are expected to examine mechanical factors, potential pilot error, and environmental conditions as part of their inquiry. The helicopter was on a routine training mission at the time of the accident, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency.
Second Aviation Accident in a Week
Tuesday’s crash marks the second fatal aviation incident involving Iranian military aircraft in less than eight days.
Last week, an Iranian Air Force fighter jet — reportedly an aging United States-built F-4 model — crashed during a late-night training mission in the western province of Hamadan. State media reported that one pilot was killed, while the other survived after successfully ejecting. That crash was also attributed to a likely technical fault, with investigations ongoing.
The back-to-back incidents have drawn renewed attention to longstanding challenges facing Iran’s military aviation sector.
Sanctions and Aging Fleet
Analysts and international media have frequently linked repeated crashes to difficulties maintaining aircraft fleets due to decades of international sanctions.
Iran has been largely unable to upgrade its aging inventory of military and civilian aircraft as a result of sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, which restrict access to original spare parts and new equipment. Many military helicopters and planes in use today date back decades, some predating the 1979 Islamic Revolution, complicating repair and upkeep.
Experts warn that aging fleets combined with limited access to maintenance components increase the risk of accidents. The country has purchased a number of fighter and training aircraft from Russia in recent years and has been seeking to acquire advanced Su-35 jets, though they have yet to be delivered by Moscow.
Eyewitness Accounts and Emergency Response
Witnesses at the Dorcheh market described scenes of chaos as the helicopter descended unexpectedly into the commercial area. The aircraft struck market stalls before crashing and catching fire, according to local reports.
Firefighters and emergency personnel arrived promptly and were able to extinguish the blaze, preventing further damage or casualties. The quick response likely averted a higher death toll, authorities suggested.
State media broadcast footage showing emergency responders working amid twisted wreckage and smoke rising from the crash site. The market area sustained significant damage from the impact and subsequent fire.
Broader Context of Tensions
Tuesday’s crash occurred amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington ahead of a new round of nuclear talks scheduled to take place in Geneva on February 26.
Iranian officials have stated that the country will not “bow down” to U.S. pressure, as Washington has increased its military presence in the region in recent weeks. The U.S. military has deployed advanced fighter aircraft to regional bases and positioned two aircraft carrier strike groups nearby, warning it could take military action if no agreement is reached over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
Tehran has ruled out negotiations over its missile program but has indicated it may be open to an agreement guaranteeing that it will not pursue nuclear weapons.
Safety Record Under Scrutiny
Iran has a poor air safety record overall, with repeated crashes across both military and civilian sectors. The country experienced multiple aviation disasters in recent years, often attributed to aging aircraft and maintenance challenges stemming from sanctions.
The combination of outdated equipment, limited access to spare parts, and intensive operational demands has created persistent vulnerabilities in Iran’s aviation infrastructure. Investigators examining Tuesday’s crash will consider not only immediate mechanical factors but also potential systemic shortcomings.
Local authorities have called for enhanced safety inspections and better maintenance practices in the wake of the recent incidents. For the families of Colonel Sarvazad, Major Kiani, and the two merchants killed in Dorcheh, the crash represents a tragic loss that has drawn national attention to the risks faced by both military personnel and civilians in proximity to operational airspace.
The investigation into the cause of the crash continues, with officials expected to release more detailed findings in the coming days.
Regional media outlets have covered the story extensively, with particular attention to the implications for aviation safety across the Middle East. Gulf states, which maintain their own military aviation programs, have not commented publicly on the incident.
Funeral Arrangements
Funeral ceremonies for the two pilots will be held with full military honors in the coming days, according to army officials speaking to Iranian media. Arrangements for the two civilian victims are being handled by their families with support from local authorities in Dorcheh.
The town’s mayor expressed condolences to all affected families and announced that the municipality would provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased vendors. The market area remains cordoned off as investigators complete their initial examination of the crash site.
with inputs from
Reuters: Iranian military helicopter crashes into fruit market, four dead
Al Jazeera: Army helicopter crashes into Iran market, killing 2 pilots and 2 merchants
QNA: Four Killed in Helicopter Crash in Iran’s Isfahan
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