Iran Air has begun a major maintenance programme on its sole Boeing 747-200 combi freighter, EP-ICD, combining a D-check with the aircraft’s first 20,000-flight-cycle inspection to be carried out domestically. The work, under way in Iran since late September, involves extensive structural inspections and landing-gear maintenance. Its completion could restore a key cargo aircraft to an airline with only a small number of operational aircraft.
Iran Air’s engineering and maintenance departments are conducting the programme, which includes non-destructive testing of the forward fuselage Section 41, inspection of upper-deck rivet connections, reinforcement of landing-gear attachment points and a complete landing-gear overhaul. The airline has manufactured the specialist tools required for the project itself.
The work also covers technical modifications, including adjustment of the Boeing 747’s variable horizontal stabilizer. Iran Air has reportedly never before performed a 20,000-cycle inspection in the country, making the project a significant test of its domestic widebody-maintenance capability amid sanctions, restricted access to parts and limited external support.
The approximately 38-year-old aircraft has been grounded for heavy maintenance since late August or September. Iran Air chief executive Taher Abdolhai initially indicated a return after about one and a half to two months, but a subsequent airline update on Telegram put the expected duration at a minimum of six months. The final timetable will depend on inspection findings and any additional repairs.