Syrian Air A320 loses stab and rudder in midair

[bennyboydurham]

According to http://avherald.com/h?article=45671063

"A Syrian Arab Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration YK-AKF performing flight RB-501 from Damascus to Latakia (Syria), was climbing through FL120 out of Damascus when the main rotor of a military helicopter clipped the upper half of the vertical stabilizer and rudder off the airliner. The helicopter crashed, the A320 was able to return to Damascus for a safe landing. The helicopter crew died, there were no injuries aboard the A320, the A320 received substantial damage.

A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration YK-AKC reached Latakia and onward destination Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) with a delay of 5 hours.

Syria's Information Ministry reported the aircraft carried 200 people."

Not sure what to make of this. Source is state TV for one, 200 pax on an A320 is a bit heavy and how did the helo clip the stab and miss the rest of the fuselage? If it's true, and they didn't just forget to open the hangar doors properly and the Govt are trying to explain the crash of a mil helo then kudos to Airbus for building them strong and kudos to the crew for bringing them home safe.