(Dan Tri) – The Bell 212 helicopter model carrying the President and Iranian officials in an accident is highly appreciated for its features, but has also been involved in a number of accidents.
The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi took off near the Iran-Azerbaijan border on May 19 (Photo: Reuters).
Al Jazeera news agency posted photos and videos confirming that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the officials accompanying him were sitting on the US-made Bell 212 helicopter before the plane crashed.
The Bell 212 helicopter is manufactured by Bell Textron, an American aerospace manufacturing company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.
Bell Helicopter developed this helicopter for the Canadian military in the late 1960s as an upgrade of the UH-1 Iroquois.
After being introduced, the Bell 212 quickly affirmed its `workhorse` strength in the helicopter industry.
The Iranian plane model that crashed on May 19 was used to carry passengers, including government officials.
Organizations using the Bell 212 include the Japanese Coast Guard;
Signaling a suspected heat signal from the helicopter carrying the missing Iranian President
Although highly regarded for its ruggedness and reliability, the Bell 212 has been involved in a number of accidents over the years.
Although modern helicopters are equipped with advanced safety features and undergo rigorous maintenance procedures, accidents can still occur due to factors such as technical malfunctions and adverse weather conditions.
According to the Flight Safety Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on aviation safety, the most recent fatal crash involving a Bell 212 was in September 2023, when a privately operated helicopter