Eerie photo of flight map moments before plane crash that killed 176

An image of the flight path of the plane that crashed shortly after takeoff with 176 people on board shows the moment it disappeared from the radar.

The Ukraine International Airlines flight departed from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Iran’s capital of Tehran on Wednesday morning (local time) bound for the Ukraine, and stopped sending data almost immediately, according to website FlightRadar24.

The Boeing 737 crashed near the airport and burst into flames and Iranian TV initially said the crash was due to mechanical problems.

Ukraine's embassy in Iran said the plane had suffered engine failure and the crash was not caused by "terrorism".

Iranian media quoted an Iranian aviation official as saying the pilot of the airliner did not declare an emergency.

According to air tracking service FlightRadar24, the plane was Flight PS 752 and was flying to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.

It said the plane was three-years-old and was a Boeing 737-800NG.

A spokesman for Boeing said the company was aware of media reports of a plane crash in Iran and was gathering more information.

"My sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of all passengers and crew," Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a statement, adding that Ukraine was seeking to establish the circumstances of the crash.

Plane crash comes amid ‘revenge operation’

The plane crash comes as Iran launches “tens” of surface-to-surface missiles at Iraq’s Ain Assad air base housing US troops.

State TV described it as Tehran's revenge operation over the killing of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani on Friday.

The Pentagon has confirmed missile attacks on US bases but said there was no immediate information on any damage or casualties.

With AAP/Reuters

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