Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was likely traveling on a Bell 212 helicopter that began operating in the late 1960s, according to military analysts. The helicopter, first produced in the United States and later in Canada, has a history dating back to the late 1960s when it was utilized by the US military before being introduced in commercial form during the Shah's rule in 1976.
One of the key challenges associated with this aging helicopter model is the difficulty in obtaining spare parts. Retired US Air Force colonel Leighton highlighted that spare parts would have been a significant issue for the Iranians due to the age of the aircraft and potential sanctions affecting the procurement process.
Leighton further explained that a combination of factors, including the scarcity of spare parts due to sanctions and adverse weather conditions in northwestern Iran, likely contributed to the series of incidents that led to the tragic crash. The challenging weather conditions in the region may have added complexity to the flight operations, influencing the decisions made by the pilot and potentially the president himself.
Ultimately, the convergence of these factors resulted in the unfortunate crash of the Bell 212 helicopter carrying President Raisi. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of aircraft maintenance, especially for older models, and the critical role that external factors such as sanctions and weather conditions can play in aviation safety.
