Bell 412

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 a 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 by Agusta in Italy as the Agusta-Bell AB412, in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace, and in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries. The CH-146 Griffon, a Bell 412 variant for the Canadian Armed Forces, is manufactured in Bell-Textron's main commercial factory in Mirabel, Quebec.

Design and development

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. The 412 model was followed by the 412SP version, which featured a larger fuel capacity, a higher takeoff weight, and optional seating arrangements. In 1991, the 412HP variant with improved transmission replaced the SP version in production.
In the early 2000s, Bell offered the Bell 412EP as its Bell 412 LUH entrant in the U.S. Army Light Utility Helicopter program, where it competed against several other light helicopters for an order.
The current production version, 412EP, is equipped with a dual digital automatic flight control system. In 2013, Bell introduced the 412EPI, which includes an electronic engine control upgrade for the PT6T-9 engine, and a glass cockpit display system similar to the one installed on the Bell 429. Also featured is a Garmin touchscreen navigation system, plus the BLR Strake and Fast Fin upgrades for improved hover performance.
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.
The aircraft has been produced in Montreal, Canada, in Italy under license by Agusta, in Indonesia by Indonesian Aerospace, and also in Japan by Subaru. The Bell 412 was also initially manufactured in Texas, USA.
The emergency medical configuration can carry 6 patients/wounded and two attendants, or two stretchers and up to four attendants.
By 2022, over 1,300 Bell 412 helicopters had been delivered.

Variants

;Bell 412
;: Special Performance version with P&WC PT6T-3BF engines
;Bell 412HP
;Bell 412CF
;: Enhanced performance version with P&WC PT6T-3DF engines
;Bell 412EPI
;Bell Griffin HT1
;Bell Griffin HAR2
;Agusta-Bell AB 412
;Agusta-Bell AB 412EP
;Agusta-Bell AB 412 Grifone
;Agusta-Bell AB 412 CRESO
;Bell 412 LUH
;IPTN / Indonesian Aerospace NBell 412
;Indonesian Aerospace Gandiwa
;Subaru-Bell UH-2
;Subaru-Bell 412EPX
;H.1B
;H.1C
;H.1E
;H.LL.2

Operators

The Bell 412 is used by private and commercial operators. It is particularly popular in the oil industries, military, law enforcement, and for medevac use. Around 2022-23, the unit cost for a 412EPX model was between US$14.5 million and US$16 million.

Incidents and accidents

On April 4, 1991, a Bell 412SP collided in mid-air with a Piper Aerostar over Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, during an improvised attempt to inspect the Aerostar's landing gear. The accident killed all five people on both aircraft, including Aerostar passenger and United States senator John Heinz, along with two children on the ground. The collision was attributed to poor judgment by the pilots of both aircraft.
On December 10, 2006, Bell 412SP medical helicopter Mercy Air 2 crashed in mountainous terrain near Hesperia, California. All three crew members on board died. The accident was attributed to controlled flight into terrain in low visibility.
On December 7, 2023, a Bell 412EP operated by the Guyanese military went down carrying 2 crew and 5 senior officers at the border between Venezuela and Guyana during bad weather.
Specifications (Bell 412EP)

Bell 412

Design and development

Variants

Operators

Military operators

Government operators

Former

Incidents and accidents

Specifications (Bell 412EP)