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What type of helicopter was the Iranian President's helicopter that crashed?

TB (according to Tuoi Tre) May 20, 2024 14:59

The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi that crashed after a visit to the Azerbaijan border is believed to be a US-made Bell 212.

Hình ảnh chiếc Bell 212 của Lực lượng Không quân Iran - Ảnh: X/@MILCOTTO
Image of an Iranian Air Force Bell 212

On May 19, a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian crashed after a visit to the Azerbaijan border.

There is still no official announcement on what type of helicopter the Iranian President traveled on.

However, Iran's state news agency (IRNA) has just released some images showing that the helicopter carrying President Raisi resembles the Bell 212, with its distinctive blue and white color scheme.

This is a helicopter model manufactured by Bell Textron Inc. (USA) since the 1960s, belonging to the Iranian Air Force and converted into a special aircraft serving the Government since 2021.

The Bell 212 is a medium-sized helicopter, widely used for various purposes including transport, commercial and military, known for its high capacity and high safety, according to First Post (India).

Chiếc trực thăng chở Tổng thống Ebrahim Raisi cất cánh tại khu vực biên giới giữa Iran với Azerbaijan và người đồng cấp Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dự lễ khánh thành đập thủy điện Qiz Qalasi tại Azeri, Iran vào ngày 19-5 - Ảnh: IRNA via AP
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi takes off from the border between Iran and Azerbaijan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev attends the inauguration ceremony of the Qiz Qalasi hydroelectric dam in Azeri, Iran on May 19.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran owns many different types of helicopters but Iran's aviation industry is considered to have a low safety record, partly because the country cannot obtain the necessary equipment to maintain the aircraft.

Nearly 2,000 Iranians have died in plane crashes since 1979. Accidents involving airlines over the past 44 years have resulted in 1,755 casualties.

The reason comes from sanctions against Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

TB (according to Tuoi Tre)
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What type of helicopter was the Iranian President's helicopter that crashed?