The earth repels them

With over 140 troops packed aboard, and Igla MANPAD hit one of the engines
as the Mi-26 was approaching Khankala, and the helicopter crash-landed in a
minefield that made up part of the federal military headquarters' perimeter
defenses. Some of the survivors, attempting to abandon the wrecked Mi-26,
are reported to have been killed by 'friendly' anti-personnel mine
explosions." The interior of the helicopter flooded with fuel and its jammed
doors could not be opened. Only the crew of five and 29 passengers managed
to escape through the small cockpit exit hatch. At least four of surviving
soldiers died over the next days from severe burns. The loss of 127 lives in
the greatest loss of life in the history of helicopter aviation

The footage was obtained by Associated Press from a Turkish news agency
along with a statement by separatist Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov
announcing: "Here is a helicopter that is on fire and falling near Khankala.
It was hit by our Igla anti-aircraft missile."