The following events occurred in February 1985: February 1, 1985 (Friday) Aeroflot Flight 7841 crashes shortly after takeoff on a domestic passenger flight from Minsk to Leningrad, as a result of engine failure caused by the icy conditions, killing 58 of those on board; 22 survive. February 2, 1985 (Saturday) Skater Brian Boitano wins the first of his four men's US national figure skating titles at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. February 3, 1985 (Sunday) The 1985 Masters snooker tournament is won by Cliff Thorburn of Canada, at the Wembley Conference Centre in the UK. The BMW Challenge women's tennis tournament concludes at Marco Island, Florida, United States; the singles title is won by Bonnie Gadusek, who is also a losing finalist in the doubles. Died: Frank Oppenheimer, 72, US physicist, of lung cancer February 4, 1985 (Monday) US TV channel NBC becomes the first commercial television network to use satellite interconnection for its stations, and the first to discontinue the use of chime intonations to mark the beginning of each broadcast. Julius Erving of the Philadelphia 76ers moved into fourth place on pro basketball's all-time scoring list with a 23 point effort as the 76ers beat the Atlanta Hawks 106-92. His 23 points give him 27,113 points, one ahead of Dan Issel of the Denver Nuggets who was still active. February 5, 1985 (Tuesday) The Gibraltar–Spain border is permanently opened for the first time since its closure in 1969 by former Spanish leader Francisco Franco. The United States of America withdraws from a planned ANZUS naval exercise after New Zealand refuses to allow nuclear-capable warships to call at its ports. Australia also cancels its involvement in U.S.-led MX missile tests. Born: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese footballer, in Funchal, Madeira February 6, 1985 (Wednesday) Died: James Hadley Chase, 78, English thriller novelist February 7, 1985 (Thursday) U.S. drug enforcement officer Enrique "Kiki" Camarena is kidnapped in Mexico by drug traffickers while on his way to meet his wife. The US crab-fishing vessel El Rancho capsizes and sinks in the Gulf of Alaska near Alaska′s Kodiak Island. A United States Coast Guard helicopter rescues the five crew. Died: Francis Affleck, 34, Canadian racing driver, of injuries sustained in an accident during practice for the Daytona ARCA 200 motor race, at Daytona International Speedway in the United States. February 8, 1985 (Friday) The expendable rocket Ariane 3, developed by the European