TEHRAN, May 20, 2024 — A Bell 212 helicopter carrying Iran President and Foreign Minister crashed in mountainous terrain on Sunday, as it encountered heavy fog, according to Iranian state media.
An Iranian official confirmed on Monday that all onboard are feared dead, following the discovery of the wreckage by search teams.
Origins of the Bell 212:
The Bell 212 helicopter, a civilian variant of the Vietnam War-era UH-1N “Twin Huey,” was developed by Bell Helicopter (now Bell Textron, a division of Textron Inc.) in the late 1960s.
Initially created for the Canadian military, the Bell 212 featured a significant upgrade over the original UH-1 Iroquois: the incorporation of two turboshaft engines instead of one.
This enhancement provided greater carrying capacity and improved performance.
The aircraft was introduced in 1971 and quickly adopted by both the United States and Canada.
Versatile Uses:
Designed as a utility helicopter—reflected in its military designation “UH”—the Bell 212 is highly adaptable. It can be used for a variety of roles, including:
- Transporting Passengers: Frequently used for ferrying people, including government officials, as was the case in the recent Iranian crash.
- Aerial Firefighting: Equipped to carry and deploy firefighting gear.
- Cargo Transport: Used for moving goods and equipment.
- Military Operations: Capable of mounting weapons for combat scenarios.
The most recent model, the Subaru Bell 412, is marketed for diverse applications such as police and medical transport, troop deployment, support for the energy sector, and firefighting.
According to its type certification documents from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, it can carry up to 15 people, including crew members.
Global Operators:
The Bell 212 is operated by numerous non-military organizations around the world. Prominent users include:
- Japan’s Coast Guard
- Law Enforcement and Fire Departments in the United States
- Thailand’s National Police
- Various other international entities
Iran’s government utilizes several Bell 212 helicopters, with its air force and navy collectively owning 10, as reported in FlightGlobal’s 2024 World Air Forces directory.
Incident History:
While the Bell 212 is widely used, it has been involved in several accidents over the years.
The most recent fatal incident occurred in September 2023, when a privately operated Bell 212 crashed off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
In Iran, the last known crash of this type occurred in 2018, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
The footage shows the transfer of the bodies of the martyrs by the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and army rangers pic.twitter.com/oJtEiEc0U6
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024
The Recent Tragedy:
The crash on Sunday has plunged Iran into mourning. The Bell 212 carrying the nation’s president and foreign minister was navigating through heavy fog in mountainous terrain when it went down.
The wreckage was located by search teams at the crash site, and all passengers are feared dead. This tragic event highlights the inherent dangers of helicopter travel, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash, amid a wave of grief and shock across the country.
