Bell 412

For an overview of the whole Huey family of aircraft see Bell Huey
Bell 412
Bell 412EP of the Los Angeles City Fire Department
Role Multipurpose Utility helicopter
National origin United States / Canada
Manufacturer Bell Helicopter
Introduction 1981
Status In service
Primary users Royal Air Force
See Operators for others
Produced 1979-present
Number built over 869
Developed from Bell 212
Variants Bell CH-146 Griffon

The Bell 412 is a twin-engine utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212 with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.

Design and development

Development began in the late 1970s with two Bell 212 being converted into 412 prototypes. An advanced four blade main rotor with a smaller diameter replaced the 212's two blade rotor. A Bell 412 prototype first flew in August 1979. The initial model was certified in January 1981 with the deliveries commencing in the same month.[1]

The 412 model was followed by the 412SP (Special Performance) version featuring larger fuel capacity, higher takeoff weight and optional seating arrangements. In 1991, the 412HP (High Performance) variant with improved transmission replaced the SP version in production.[1] The current production version, 412EP (Enhanced Performance), is equipped with a dual digital automatic flight control system. In 2013 Bell introduced the 412EPI which includes an electronic engine control (FADEC) for a PT6T-9 engine upgrade, and a glass cockpit display system similar to the Bell model 429. Also featured is a Garmin touch-screen navigation system, and the BLR Strake and Fast Fin upgrades for improved hover performance.

Over 700 Model 412s (including 260 by AgustaWestland) have been built.[2]

Variants

Bell 412
Standard Model with P&WC PT6T-3B
Bell 412SP
Special Performance version with P&WC PT6T-3BF engines
Bell 412HP
High performance version with P&WC PT6T-3BG or -3D engines
Bell 412EP
Enhanced performance version with P&WC PT6T-3DF engines
Bell 412EPI
Glass cockpit version with P&WC PT6T-9 electronic controlled engines
Bell 412CF (CH-146 Griffon)
100 custom built utility transport helicopters for the Canadian Forces and based on 412EP and designated by Bell as 412CF
Bell Griffin HT1
Advanced training helicopter based on the Bell 412EP, operated by the RAF since 1997 as an advanced flying trainer. Operated by the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury and the Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley.
Bell Griffin HAR2
Search and Rescue helicopter based on the Bell 412EP, operated by 84 Squadron RAF since 2003 at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
Agusta-Bell AB 412
Civil utility transport version, built under license in Italy by Agusta.[3]
Agusta-Bell AB 412EP
Italian-built version of the Bell 412EP.[3]
Agusta-Bell AB 412 Grifone
Military utility transport version, built under licence in Italy by Agusta.[3]
Agusta-Bell AB 412 CRESO
Italian-built version, fitted with a ground surveillance radar.
NBell 412
IPTN's licensed product of Bell 412[3]

Operators

Norwegian Bell 412SP helicopters taking part in the NATO exercise Strong Resolve 2002

The Bell 412 is used by private and commercial operators, it is particularly popular in the oil industries, military and for law enforcement use.

Military operators

 Algeria
 Argentina
 Botswana
 Cameroon
 Canada
see Bell CH-146 Griffon
 Chile
Chilean Air Force Bell 412
 Colombia
 Dominican Republic
 El Salvador
 Eritrea
 Ghana
 Guatemala
 Guyana
A Finnish Frontier Guard Agusta Bell AB-412
 Honduras
 Indonesia
 Italy
 Jamaica
 Lesotho
 Mexico
 Netherlands
 Norway
Polish Bell 412HP
 Pakistan
 Panama
 Peru
 Philippines
 Saudi Arabia
 Slovenia
A medical 412EP provided by Helisureste
 South Korea
 Sri Lanka
 Thailand
 Turkey
 United Arab Emirates
 United Kingdom
 Venezuela
A Bell 412EP Griffin HT1 helicopter of the Royal Air Force Defence Helicopter Flying School hover taxis to the runway at RIAT 2010
 Zimbabwe

Governmental operators

 Australia
 Brazil
 Canada
 Czech Republic
 Finland
 Italy
A L.A. County Fire Dept. 412 sits atop a helipad in the mountains in the Angeles National Forest.
 Slovenia
 United States

Incidents and accidents

On April 4, 1991, a Bell 412 collided with a small plane carrying United States Senator H. John Heinz III, which killed the senator.

On December 10, 2006, a Bell 412 medical helicopter Mercy Air 2 crashed in mountainous terrain near Hesperia, CA. All 3 crew members on board died.

On February 6, 2008, a Bell 412 crashed due to a malfunction, killing Major General Javed Sultan, the commanding officer for Kohat garrison, along with two brigadiers and five other military personnel in South Waziristan Agency, Pakistan.[32][33]

On April 7, 2009, a Bell 412EP presidential helicopter operated by the Philippine Air Force crashed in bad weather on the slopes of Mount Pulag in Tinoc, Ifugao on a flight from Loakan Airport to Lagawe. All eight on board the helicopter died, including four key aides of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.[34][35]

On November 22, 2010, a Bell 412 belonging to the Cameroon defense forces crashed en route from Douala to the country's capital Yaounde.[36] According to government sources, the aircraft had 3 crew and 2 passengers.

On February 6, 2014, a Bell 412 of Panama Special forces SENAN, crash on Mamsucum, Guna Yala Indian Reserve, killing Lieutenant Agustín Santos and injuring eight others, including SENAN Executive Director Belsio González. The incident is under investigation, but witness reports a dense fog with reduced visibility in the area. The aircraft was undertaking antidrug operations against drug lords, and was in pursuit of a high speed boat when it crashed in the jungle.[37]

On April 13, 2014, an Augusta-Bell 412 military helicopter slammed into a hangar and crashed as it took off at Julius Nyerere International Airport, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Occupants including Tanzanian Vice President Mohammed Gharib Bilal and other top government officials narrowly survived the crash. The accident investigation is ongoing.[38]

Specifications (412EP)

Rotor head and transmission of a Bell 412

Data from International Directory of Civil Aircraft,[39] Bell 412EP Product Specifications[40]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development


Related lists

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bell 412. Airliners.net
  2. ↑ Bell/Agusta Bell 412 – Medium Transport Helicopter, USA/Italy, Aerospace-Technology.com
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Model 212 Twin Huey: USN-USMC UH-1N / Model 412. Vectorsite.net, 1 December 2007.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 4.34 "World Air Forces 2015". Flightglobal Insight. 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  5. ↑ http://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201501/91242-rossi-helicopteros-fuerza-aerea-argentina.html
  6. ↑ "Bell confirms Philippine Bell 412EP deal". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Introduction (Coast guard, Korea, South), Coast guard". janes.com. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "South Korean Coast Guard Bell 412EP". Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  9. ↑ http://www.tpad.police.go.th/news1.php
  10. ↑ "Turkey And Georgia Conducted A Naval Exercise". Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "Bolivarian Armada of Venezuela". ©Copyright 2012 helis.com. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Australian Aircraft Register searching for Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd". Civil Aviation Safety Authority Australia.
  13. ↑ "Queenslanders Gov.t Fleet". qld.gov.au. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  14. ↑ http://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/bell-412epi-helicopter-for-nsw-police-force
  15. ↑ "PF tem mais dois helicópteros que não levantam voo há quase dois anos". CorreioBraziliense.com.br. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  16. ↑ http://www.suretequebec.gouv.qc.ca/mission-et-services/publications/depliant-alea.pdf
  17. ↑ http://archive.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/facilities/iar/bell-412.html
  18. ↑ "Czech-Republic Police". ©Copyright 2012 Helis.com. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  19. ↑ http://www.raja.fi/the_border_guard/the_border_guard_s_vessels_and_aircraft
  20. ↑ "Agusta AB-412 in Carabinieri". Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  21. ↑ "AB-412 Guardia di Finanza". Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  22. ↑ "Helikopterji in oprema". policija.si. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  23. ↑ "Great Lake Saviors". Vertical Magazine. 16 November 2011.
  24. ↑ "Delaware Marks 40 Years of Service". © Copyright 2010 by the Airborne Law Enforcement Association. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  25. ↑ "LAFD Air Ops". Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  26. ↑ "L.A. County Fire". Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  27. ↑ "Miami-Dade-Fire-Rescue". © 2012 Miami-Dade County.gov. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  28. ↑ "NYPD Bell 412". ©Copyright 2012 Helis.com. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  29. ↑ "Orange County Fire Authority's New Bell 412 Fire and Rescue Helicopters". ©Copyright 2012 FDNNTV.com. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  30. ↑ "San-Diego-Fire signs for Bell-412". 2012 Copyright Shephard Press Limited. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  31. ↑ "Bald Eagle Rescue is a team effort". Retrieved 31 December 2012.
  32. ↑ "Kohat GOC, six other officers die in copter crash: Technical fault caused accident: ISPR". Dawn. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  33. ↑ "General killed in Pakistan crash". BBC News. 6 February 2008. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  34. ↑ Missing govt chopper supposed to return due to bad weather
  35. ↑ No survivors in chopper crash
  36. ↑
  37. ↑ "Un muerto y ocho heridos deja caída de helicóptero". Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  38. ↑ http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/Bilal--Magufuli-escape-death-in-copter-crash/-/1840392/2278894/-/jxqcrtz/-/index.html
  39. ↑ Frawley, Gerald. The International Directory of Civil Aircraft, 2003/2004, p. 45. Aerospace Publications, 2003. ISBN 1-875671-58-7.
  40. ↑ . Bell Helicopter, January 2006.

External links

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