1940    Igor Sikorsky performs the first successful single-rotor helicopter flight.

1974    Robert K. Preston, a disgruntled U.S. Army private, buzzes the White House in a stolen helicopter.

1986    A tornado is broadcast live on KARE television in Minnesota when the station's helicopter pilot makes a chance encounter.

1994    In a U.S. friendly fire incident during Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq, two United States Air Force aircraft mistakenly shoot-down two United States Army helicopters, killing 26 people.

2002    A Russian Mi-26 helicopter carrying troops is hit by a Chechen missile outside of Grozny, killing 118 soldiers.