Summary
- The US-made Bell 212 helicopter that crashed in Iran with President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials was likely purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
- The helicopter, a civilian version of the UH-1N “Twin Huey”, was built to fly in visual flight conditions, raising questions about its suitability for inclement weather.
- Despite Western sanctions and aging aircraft, Iran continues to operate some Shah-era aircraft like the Bell 212 through maintenance and reverse-engineering.
- The Bell 212 has been used globally by military and civilian operators, with the only other notable accident occurring in the North Sea in 1986.
