On May 19, Ayatollah Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, our President, was visiting East Azarbaijan Province for the inauguration of the "Qiz Qalasi" dam when he and his companions were killed in a helicopter crash.
In response, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of the Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, has ordered the Deputy Coordinator of the General Staff to investigate the causes of the President's helicopter crash. A high-ranking team led by General Ali Abdollahi, the Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff, went to the crash site shortly after its location was determined to begin technical and specialized investigations into the dimensions and causes of the President's helicopter crash.
Legally, the high-ranking inspection team tasked with determining the causes of the helicopter crash, dispatched by Major General Baqeri to the crash site, is the primary body responsible for the technical and expert aspects of this incident. They will undoubtedly provide a detailed report clarifying the reasons for this tragic accident. However, there are clear pieces of evidence that can address some ambiguities before the expert committee’s report is released. Unfortunately, opposition media have played a role in spreading and exaggerating these ambiguities.
First, the helicopter carrying the President was a Bell 212, which is known for its two powerful engines. This multipurpose helicopter can continue flying with one engine if the other fails, making it significantly safer than single-engine helicopters.
Second, the flight crew were among the most skilled helicopter pilots in the country, with high military ranks, experience, and expertise, indicating that an experienced flight crew was used for this mission.
Third, the helicopter, which has a capacity of 14 people, flew with nine passengers for security reasons and to ensure safer flight conditions.
Fourth, one of the main and unavoidable protocols before any flight is to check the helicopter's technical condition, ensure it is in good health, and assess the weather conditions along the flight path. Given the presence of the President and high-ranking officials, this protocol was undoubtedly followed with extra care.
A significant factor to consider as the primary cause of the accident is the helicopter's flight in a mountainous area with highly variable spring weather, which can cause turbulence or "wind shear"—an unexpected and unpredictable phenomenon. The presence of cloud masses in the area, which move rapidly at low altitudes during this season, is another important factor that could have caused atmospheric instability and unexpected conditions for the helicopter.
Although the exact reasons for the accident cannot be confirmed until the comprehensive technical investigation is completed and the report from the General Staff’s high-ranking team is released, the significant and noteworthy points mentioned help clarify the nature of the incident. These points show that, contrary to some unrealistic narratives, all necessary precautions for ensuring a safe flight were taken. However, unexpected weather conditions overpowered the technical and security protocols, leading to this tragic accident.
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