The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter of the Huey family manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212, with the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor. It is twin-turbine helicopter that has been popular on the civilian and military markets, and major users include Canada, Italy, and Japan. Several hundred have been produced since its introduction in 1979, and several iterations of upgrades and variations have been produced such as with upgraded cockpit electronics.
It has been manufactured under license in Italy as the August-Bell AB412, Indonesia, and in Japan by Subaru. The Canadian Bell 412 were produced there because that is location of the Bell Textron factory.
Design and developmentedit
Development began in the late 1970s with two Bell 212s 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 deliveries commencing in the same month.[1] The 412 model was followed by the 412SP (Special Performance) version, which featured a larger fuel capacity, a 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 (digital) engine control for a PT6T-9 engine upgrade and a glass cockpit display system similar to the Bell model 429. Also featured is a Garmin touchscreen navigation system, and the BLR Strake and Fast Fin upgrades for improved hover performance.[2]
Over 700 Model 412s (including 260 by AgustaWestland) have been built.[3][unreliable source?]
The helicopter is powered by the Pratt and Whitney Canada twin-pack power plant with two turboshaft engines and has achieved the lowest in-flight shut-down rate of aircraft turboshaft engines. If one engine is shut down, a single engine can produce emergency power for 30 minutes. [4]
The aircraft has been produced in Montreal, Canada, in Italy under license by Augusta, and also in Indonesia, and in Japan by Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries).[5] Bell 412 was also initially manufactured in Texas, USA.[6]
The emergency medical configuration can carry 6 patients/wounded and two attendants, or two stretchers and up to four attendants. [4]
Variantsedit
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
On April 22, 1994, a Bell 412 medical Helicopter AirCare[54] from North Carolina Baptist Hospital crashed into mountainous terrain near Bluefield, West Virginia, killing all four crew members on board.
On 9 July 2002, a Bell 412 from the El Salvador Air Force crashed after a lightning strike, killing all four crew members and three passengers on board.
On December 10, 2006, a Bell 412 medical helicopter Mercy Air 2 crashed in mountainous terrain near Hesperia, California. All three crew members on board died.
On December 7, 2023, a Bell 412 EPI Helicopter operated by Guyanese military went down with 2 crew and 5 senior officers, at the border between Venezuela and Guyana during bad weather.
Specifications (412EP)edit
Data from International Directory of Civil Aircraft,[55] Bell 412EP Product Specifications[56]
General characteristics
Crew: one-two pilots
Capacity: up to 13 passengers, maximum external load of almost 6,614 lb (3,000 kg)[3]
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