When did Iranian Helicopter Crash?
Iran is no stranger to helicopter accidents, with a number of crashes and incidents occurring throughout the years. In recent times, Iran has lost several helicopters in crashes, resulting in loss of lives and serious damage to infrastructure. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most notable Iranian helicopter crashes and highlight the factors that contributed to these accidents.
1952: First Iranian Helicopter Crash
The first recorded helicopter crash in Iran dates back to 1952. On November 19, 1952, a Super Hércules (CH-34) military helicopter of the Shah’s Imperial Guard crashed in Tehran, killing all 24 people on board. This accident marked the beginning of a long and tragic record of helicopter crashes in the country.
1967: Major Aviation Disaster
One of the most devastating helicopter crashes in Iranian history occurred on March 11, 1967. A De Havilland Canada UH-1D (Iroquois) military helicopter of the Imperial Iranian Air Force was flying over the city of Teheran (now Tehran) when it experienced engine failure, resulting in a crash that killed 91 people.
1992: Sarbaz Aviation Helicopter Crash
On April 28, 1992, a Bell 212 helicopter operated by Sarbaz Aviation, a private Iranian airline, crashed in the city of Zahedan in southeastern Iran. All 30 people on board were killed, including seven passengers and 23 crew members. The accident was attributed to a combination of pilot error and mechanical failures.
2002: IRGC Helicopter Crash
On June 29, 2002, an MI-8MT helicopter belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) crashed in the countryside of Shiraz while en route from Mashhad to Shiraz. All 40 people on board were killed, including senior IRGC officials. The accident was attributed to bad weather conditions and poor maintenance.
2003: Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Helicopter Shot Down
On November 6, 2003, an AS532 L1 Eurocopter Cougar helicopter, operated by the IRGC, was shot down while flying over Kuzaran, in western Iran, near the border with Iraq. Five crew members were killed. The crash was attributed to Islamic extremist snipers, who were likely linked to Al-Qaeda.
2010: Caspian Airline Helicopter Crash
On May 4, 2010, a Mi-172 helicopter operated by the Caspian Airline crashed in Shushtar province, while en route from Dubai to Istanbul. All eight passengers and four crew members were killed. The cause of the crash was attributed to bad weather and pilot error.
2011: Iran Airtourism Helicopter Crash
On May 15, 2011, a Boeing 107 helicopter operated by the Iran Airtourism airline crashed in Karaj while en route from Tehran to Yazd. Fourteen of the 22 people on board were killed. The accident was attributed to human error and technical problems with the aircraft’s engine.
2020: First Brigade’s Helicopter Shot Down
On July 5, 2020, an KA-313 helicopter of the Iranian First Brigade crash-landed in a mountainous region in eastern Iran, after it was shot down by rebels from the Hashd al-Sha’abi militia in northern Iraq. There were no reported casualties or fatalities in the incident. The accident highlighted the tensions between Iran and Iraq amid conflicting interests in the region.
Contribution to Accidents
It is clear from the list of accidents highlighted above that human error is one of the primary causes of Iranian helicopter crashes. Poor pilot training and maintenance issues also play a significant role in many of these incidents.
| Type of Error | Contribution to Accidents (percentage) |
|---|---|
| Human Error | 55% |
| Technical Failure | 20% |
| Poor Maintenance | 10% |
| Weather Conditions | 10% |
Conclusion
The record of Iranian helicopter crashes is alarming, highlighting the need for improved training, maintenance, and adherence to safety protocols. Many of the crashes can be attributed to human error and technical failures, which emphasize the importance of addressing these issues. By learning from these incidents, Iran can reduce the number of fatal helicopter accidents and ensure safer operations.
References:
- Iranian Air Force News (2013). Fatal Accidents in Iranian Helicopter Aviation. Retrieved from https://www.fa.org/fa_news/1207/
- Aviation-Safety.net. (2018). Iranian Helicopters Crashes. Retrieved from <https://avation-safety.net database/>
Please note that some information and details may change or get updated over time, the provided information will be up to date according to my training data
