A Bell 212 helicopter, transporting Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, crashed on Sunday, as reported by Iranian state media, while navigating through mountainous terrain enveloped in heavy fog. All passengers on board were tragically killed, with search teams locating the wreckage on Monday.
Originally developed by Bell Helicopter, now known as Bell Textron under Textron Inc, the Bell 212 is a civilian variant derived from the UH-1N "Twin Huey," a renowned helicopter utilized during the Vietnam War era. Equipped with two turboshaft engines, it offers enhanced carrying capacity, making it a widely utilized aircraft by various governments and private operators globally.
Introduced in 1971, the Bell 212 quickly gained adoption by the US and Canadian military forces, showcasing its versatility as a utility helicopter capable of fulfilling diverse roles. From transporting personnel and deploying firefighting equipment to carrying cargo and even mounting weapons, the Bell 212 is designed to adapt to different operational requirements.
The Iranian model involved in Sunday's crash was configured to transport government officials, underscoring its suitability for executive transport purposes. Bell Helicopter promotes the latest iteration, the Subaru Bell 412, for applications such as police operations, medical evacuation, troop transport, support for the energy sector, and firefighting, with a capacity of up to 15 occupants, including the crew.
Numerous non-military organizations worldwide operate the Bell 212, including Japan's Coast Guard, various law enforcement agencies, fire departments in the US, and Thailand's national police, among others. While the exact number of Bell 212s operated by the Iranian government remains unclear, FlightGlobal's 2024 World Air Forces directory indicates a total of 10 in service with Iran's air force and navy.
Regarding safety records, the most recent fatal incident involving a Bell 212 occurred in September 2023, when a privately operated aircraft crashed off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, the Flight Safety Foundation reports a fatal crash involving a Bell 212 in Iran in 2018, resulting in the loss of four lives.
