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IRAN's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad survived a helicopter scare when his official air transport crash landed today. The pilot managed to land the chopper safely after an unspecified "accident" in the mountainous north of the country. Mr Ahmadinejad and the other dignitaries on board all escaped unhurt, according to Iran's official news agency. The government refused to give any more details of what caused the crash, which happened as the president was on his way to inaugurate a new road tunnel. His office said: "With God's help the president and the officials accompanying him were not hurt. "After the landing the president inaugurated the project and returned to Tehran by car." The pint-sized tyrant - who has claimed 9/11 was staged by the US as an excuse to launch wars in the Middle East - is stepping down next month after a decade in power. Eight candidates are vying in an election to replace him - but only those approved by the ruling Guardian Council of Islamic clerics are allowed to stand.