Radio Signal Off Or...? Iran Starts Helicopter Crash Probe As US Says Raisi Had "Blood On His Hands"

The helicopter that crashed killing Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi did not have a transponder fitted or had it turned off, a Turkish probe has found. Turkey said that they had checked for a signal from the helicopter’s transponder that broadcasts height and location information.
“Unfortunately, [we think] most likely the transponder system was turned off or that the helicopter did not have one,” Turkish transport minister said.
Reports say that Iranian official had flagged concerns regarding the maintenance of its fleet of ageing helicopters. The Iranian government had reportedly been urged in a memo by officials to purchase two Russian helicopters for its leaders. The helicopter involved in the crash was a Bell 212, a US-made two-blade aircraft capable of carrying 15 people.
Tehran has launched a probe into the crash which will also be examining if weather checks were made before the decision to fly was taken.