On Sept. 26, 1983, a Soyuz rocket exploded on the launchpad at Baikonur Cosmodrome, triggering the first crewed launch abort escape. Cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov were ejected to safety two seconds before the explosion, enduring 20Gs. The mission was intended for Salyut 7.
Soyuz Rocket Explodes on Pad; Cosmonauts Escape
Source: Space