A passenger plane has crashed near Tehran, killing more than 40 people, including seven children.

Iran’s state media reported that the aircraft crashed while taking off from Mehrabad airport, west of Tehran, on August 10.

Reports say the Iran-140 jet went down in a residential area after its engine went out.

The plane was reportedly heading to the eastern city of Tabas.

The Iran-140 is a 52-seat plane produced in Iran with Ukrainian technology.

Iran has suffered a series of plane crashes, blamed on its ageing aircraft and poor maintenance record.

In 2011, an Iran Air Boeing 727 broke to pieces on impact while trying an emergency landing in northwestern Iran, killing nearly 80 people.

In 2009, a Russian-made aircraft crashed in northwest Iran, killing all 168 on board.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters
RFE/RL