March 10

On 10 March 1906, a catastrophic explosion ripped through the Courrières coal mine near Lens in northern France. The blast, caused by a firedamp ignition, collapsed tunnels and released toxic gases, trapping hundreds of miners underground. Rescue efforts lasted for weeks, with hopes fading as more bodies were recovered. A total of 1,099 men and boys perished, making it the worst mining disaster in European history. The tragedy sparked national outrage and led to reforms in mine safety regulations and labor rights. It also inspired charitable movements and memorials in mining communities. The disaster remains a poignant reminder of industrial dangers and the importance of workplace safety.

At 5:54 PM on March 10, 1933, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Long Beach in the Greater Los Angeles area. The strong tremor caused buildings to collapse, gas leaks, and fires across the city. More than 100 people lost their lives, with numerous others injured or rendered homeless. School buildings were particularly vulnerable, prompting California to enact stricter seismic safety laws. Rescue crews and volunteers worked tirelessly to search for survivors amid the rubble. The disaster prompted significant advances in earthquake engineering and building codes to protect communities from future quakes.

On March 10, 1989, Air Ontario Flight 1363, a Fokker F-28 Fellowship, crashed shortly after takeoff from Dryden Regional Airport in Ontario, Canada. The aircraft encountered ice accumulation on its wings, compromising lift during the initial climb. A failure in the aircraft's de-icing protocol and communication breakdown among crew members contributed to the disaster. Twenty-four of the fifty-nine passengers and crew on board lost their lives in the crash. The investigation led to significant changes in Canadian aviation safety regulations, particularly regarding de-icing procedures and crew resource management. The tragedy underscored the critical importance of adhering to weather-related safety protocols in aviation operations. Memorials at Dryden honor those killed and remind the industry of the lessons learned from this accident.

On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed near Bishoftu shortly after departing Addis Ababa, resulting in the loss of all 157 people on board. Investigators determined that erroneous angle-of-attack sensor data repeatedly activated the aircraft's MCAS system, forcing the plane's nose downward. This accident, following Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018, led aviation authorities worldwide to ground all Boeing 737 MAX jets. Extensive reviews by regulatory agencies scrutinized Boeing's design, software, and certification processes. The grounding lasted over a year, during which Boeing conducted major software updates and improved pilot training. The tragedy prompted widespread reforms in aircraft safety oversight and manufacturer-regulator collaboration.