On January 14, a Saha Airlines Boeing 707 was involved in a critical incident at Fath Air Base, located near Karaj in the Alborz Province of Iran. The aircraft was engaged in transportation services, primarily supporting military operations. As the flight took off, it encountered severe technical malfunctions that prevented it from maintaining altitude. Eyewitnesses observed the aircraft losing speed rapidly, which ultimately led to a catastrophic crash shortly after departing the airfield.

Emergency response teams were deployed to the scene, but unfortunately, 15 people onboard lost their lives as a result of the crash. The HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company) manufactured Boeing 707, which was primarily used for passenger and cargo transport, marked a significant event as air transportation in Iran, driven largely since the 1970s by older aircraft primarily from Western manufacturers.

Investigations were launched to determine the root causes of the failure, focusing on maintenance records and flight operations protocols. This incident shed light on the pressing issue of aviation safety standards in Iran, highlighting both the risks involved with aging aircraft and the importance of continuous oversight and regulations in the aviation industry.