Mil Mi-26 crash near Khankala, Chechnya, Russia

A Russian Air Force Mil Mi-26 Halo, the world's largest production helicopter, was struck by a Chechen separatist surface-to-air missile (reportedly an Igla MANPADS) while on approach to Khankala airbase near Grozny, Chechnya. The helicopter was carrying 147 people, far exceeding its rated capacity of 85, transporting soldiers to the base. The missile struck the helicopter at low altitude, igniting the fuel and causing it to crash into a minefield adjacent to the runway. 127 of the 147 on board were killed, making it the deadliest helicopter crash in history. Twenty survivors were pulled from the wreckage. The Russian military initially denied the helicopter had been shot down before acknowledging the missile strike. The overloading of the aircraft was widely criticised.