Urugayan Air Force Bell 212 crashed
A Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya (FAU, Urugayan Air Force) Bell 212 crash-landed in the eastern state of Rocha in the early hours of Thursday 25 March 2021. The helicopter, operated by EA5H (Escuadrón Aéreo N°5 Helicópteros), was carrying boxes with Pfizer vaccins.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the accident occurred due to a mechanical failure. The pilot had to make an emergency landing and the helicopter was destroyed by fire.
Fortunately, the crew escaped without serious injuries, but as a precaution were treated in hospital.
EA5H is part of Brigada Aérea I and based Montevideo/Intl Carrasco 'Gral. Cesareo L. Berisso'. According to the Scramble Air Order of Battle and database, the unit has four Bell 212s in the inventory, of which two to three are operated with the UN mission URUAVU in Goma (Democratic Republic of the Congo/DRC Congo-Kinshasa). Next to the Bell 212s, two AS365N2 Dauphins and four to six UH-1Hs are active with the unit.
The serial of the Bell 212 is confirmed as 030 (construction number 31157).
Photos: Ton van Bakel (Scramble Archive) and via Montevideo.com.uy