Korean Air Lines Flight 007 was flying from New York City to Seoul when it diverted from its original course and entered Soviet airspace. The aircraft was shot down by a Soviet Su-15 fighter jet on September 1, 1983.
All 269 people on board lost their lives.
The tragic incident occurred during a period of high Cold War tensions, and the Soviets said they mistook the aircraft for a US surveillance aircraft, such as one of the US RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft in the area.
The pilot of the Soviet interceptor told CNN several years ago he signaled the aircraft and fired warning shots without response. There were reportedly no attempts, though, to contact the passenger aircraft over the radio. The details of what exactly happened to this flight remain unclear.
"My orders were to destroy the intruder. I fulfilled my mission," the pilot said.