Helicopter Timeline of Events

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Helicopter

A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

Timeline of Events

1940

5.24.1940

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

1974

2.17.1974

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

1986

7.18.1986

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

1994

4.14.1994

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

8.19.2002

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