Applications of Bell 212 Helicopter
The Bell 212, designated as a utility helicopter (UH in its military designation), is designed for various versatile roles:
- Transporting passengers
- Deploying aerial firefighting equipment
- Transporting cargo
- Supporting weapon systems
Iranian Model Configuration
The Iranian model involved in the recent crash was configured for transporting government officials. Bell Helicopter promotes its latest iteration, the Subaru Bell 412, for the following operations:
- Police operations
- Medical evacuation
- Troop transport
- Energy sector support
- Firefighting
According to certification documents from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the Bell 212 can carry up to 15 people, including crew members.
Organizations Operating Bell 212
Non-military organizations operating the Bell 212 include:
- Japan’s Coast Guard
- Various law enforcement agencies and fire departments in the United States
- Thailand’s national police
While the exact number of Bell 212 helicopters operated by Iran’s government is unclear, its air force and navy collectively have 10, according to FlightGlobal’s 2024 World Air Forces directory.
Recent Crashes
The most recent fatal crash involving a Bell 212 occurred in September 2023 when a privately operated aircraft crashed off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to the Flight Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aviation safety. The most recent Iranian crash involving this type occurred in 2018, resulting in the deaths of four people, according to the organization’s database.
