1948day.year
The storming of the cockpit of the Miss Macao passenger seaplane, operated by a subsidiary of the Cathay Pacific Airways, marks the first aircraft hijacking of a commercial plane.
The first recorded hijacking of a commercial airliner occurred when armed men stormed the cockpit of a Miss Macao passenger seaplane on July 16, 1948.
On July 16, 1948, a group of criminals attempted to extort a ransom by hijacking a Miss Macao passenger seaplane operated by a Cathay Pacific subsidiary. Armed hijackers forced entry into the cockpit shortly after takeoff, marking the first known case of an airliner hijacking. The attack ended tragically when the plane crashed into the Pearl River estuary near Macau, killing many on board. The incident shocked the aviation industry and prompted early considerations of in-flight security measures. Although security protocols remained rudimentary, this event highlighted the vulnerability of commercial aircraft to acts of violence. It would take decades and multiple high-profile hijackings before comprehensive airport screening and onboard security became standard. Today, the Miss Macao hijacking is remembered as the grim beginning of a new era in aviation threats.
Miss Macao
Cathay Pacific
aircraft hijacking
1957day.year
KLM Flight 844 crashes off the Schouten Islands in present day Indonesia (then Netherlands New Guinea), killing 58 people.
KLM Flight 844 crashed off the Schouten Islands in present-day Indonesia on July 16, 1957, resulting in 58 fatalities.
On a routine flight from Biak in Netherlands New Guinea, KLM Flight 844 departed under clear skies but soon encountered technical difficulties. The Douglas DC-6B descended rapidly and struck the sea near the Schouten Islands, killing all 58 passengers and crew. Rescue teams faced challenges reaching the remote crash site, delaying recovery operations. Investigators pointed to possible engine failure and navigational errors as contributing factors. The disaster prompted KLM and global carriers to review maintenance and emergency response procedures for flights operating in remote regions. Families of the victims pressured authorities for more transparent accident reports and improved safety standards. Flight 844 remains a solemn reminder of mid-20th-century aviation's growing pains.
1957
KLM Flight 844
Schouten Islands
Indonesia
Netherlands New Guinea
1983day.year
Sikorsky S-61 disaster: A helicopter crashes off the Isles of Scilly, causing 20 fatalities.
A Sikorsky S-61 helicopter crashed into the sea near the Isles of Scilly, killing all 20 passengers and crew.
On July 16, 1983, a passenger Sikorsky S-61 helicopter en route from the Isles of Scilly to Penzance encountered severe weather conditions. The aircraft descended rapidly and crashed into the sea, leaving no survivors among the 20 people aboard. Rescue operations were hampered by rough seas and poor visibility, delaying the recovery of victims. An investigation later examined mechanical performance and safety protocols for offshore helicopter services. The incident prompted revisions in flight regulations and improved emergency response procedures in the UK. It remains one of the worst aviation accidents in the region's history.
1983
Sikorsky S-61 disaster
Isles of Scilly
1990day.year
The Luzon earthquake strikes the Philippines with an intensity of 7.7, affecting Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Aurora, Bataan, Zambales and Tarlac.
The powerful magnitude 7.7 Luzon earthquake struck northern Philippines on July 16, 1990, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
At dawn on July 16, 1990, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook the island of Luzon, Philippines, with its epicenter in the Cordillera mountains. The tremor devastated homes, roads, and infrastructure across seven provinces including Benguet and Pangasinan. Hundreds of aftershocks followed, further hampering rescue efforts. Thousands of residents were left homeless amid landslides and collapsed buildings. The quake claimed over 1,600 lives and injured thousands more. International aid and local relief operations mobilized to provide shelter, medical assistance, and rebuilding support. The disaster led to stronger building codes and improved disaster preparedness in the Philippines.
1990
Luzon earthquake
Philippines
Benguet
Pangasinan
Nueva Ecija
La Union
Aurora
Bataan
Zambales
Tarlac
1999day.year
John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette, die when the aircraft he is piloting crashes into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.
John F. Kennedy Jr.'s private plane crashed into the Atlantic near Martha's Vineyard on July 16, 1999, killing all aboard.
On a foggy evening of July 16, 1999, John F. Kennedy Jr. piloted a Piper Saratoga from New Jersey toward Martha's Vineyard. He lost spatial orientation in haze and darkness, causing the plane to descend into the Atlantic Ocean. His wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette, were also on board. Despite an extensive search, wreckage and victims were recovered over the following days. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to pilot error and challenging weather conditions. The tragedy shocked the nation, ending the life of an American icon and raising awareness of aviation safety in private flight.
1999
John F. Kennedy Jr
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
die when the aircraft
2005day.year
An Antonov An-24 crashes near Baney in Bioko Norte, Equatorial Guinea, killing 60 people.
An Antonov An-24 crashed near Baney in Equatorial Guinea on July 16, 2005, killing 60 passengers and crew.
The flight departed Malabo and encountered turbulence shortly after takeoff, leading to loss of control. The aircraft went down near Baney in Bioko Norte Province, killing all 60 people aboard. Severe weather and limited runway safety measures were cited as contributing factors. Rescue teams faced challenges reaching the crash site due to rugged terrain. The accident highlighted safety concerns in regional aviation and prompted calls for improved navigation aids and pilot training. Equatorial Guinea's government initiated an investigation to prevent future tragedies. The crash remains one of the country's deadliest air disasters.
2005
Antonov An-24
crashes
Baney
Bioko Norte
Equatorial Guinea
2007day.year
An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 and 6.6 aftershock occurs off the Niigata coast of Japan killing eight people, injuring at least 800 and damaging a nuclear power plant.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off Niigata, Japan, on July 16, 2007, causing fatalities, injuries, and nuclear plant damage.
The Niigata-ken Chuetsu offshore earthquake hit at dawn, registering a main shock of 6.8 and a strong 6.6 aftershock hours later. The tremor killed eight residents and injured over 800, tearing roadways and collapsing buildings. The nearby Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant suffered damage to reactors and safety systems, triggering temporary shutdowns and safety reviews. Japan's meticulous building codes limited widespread devastation but underscored the nation's seismic vulnerability. Emergency crews and volunteers swiftly mobilized to restore infrastructure and assist evacuees. The incident led to enhanced seismic analysis and reinforced nuclear safety measures in Japan.
2007
earthquake
Niigata
2013day.year
As many as 27 children die and 25 others are hospitalized after eating lunch served at their school in eastern India.
A tragic food poisoning incident in eastern India claims the lives of dozens of schoolchildren and hospitalizes many more after a school lunch.
In July 2013, 27 schoolchildren in the Indian state of Odisha died after consuming a midday meal tainted by bacterial contamination and poor hygiene practices. The tragic incident took place in eastern India’s eastern district, where plates were served to students at a local government school. Many of the remaining students exhibited severe symptoms of food poisoning and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The scale of the tragedy underscored systemic issues in the national Midday Meal Scheme, meant to address child malnutrition. Public outrage led to investigations into food storage, preparation protocols, and supplier accountability. Authorities pledged reforms and stricter oversight to prevent such a catastrophe from recurring.
2013
eating lunch
2019day.year
A 100-year-old building in Mumbai, India, collapses, killing at least 10 people and leaving many others trapped.
A century-old building in Mumbai collapses, resulting in at least ten fatalities and trapping numerous residents under the debris.
In the early hours of July 16, 2019, a century-old residential building in Mumbai’s historic Dongri neighborhood unexpectedly collapsed. At least ten people lost their lives, and dozens more were trapped under the rubble, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. The collapse raised alarm over the safety of aging urban structures in India’s financial capital, where overcrowding and poor maintenance are persistent challenges. Local authorities and disaster response teams worked through the night using heavy machinery and rescue dogs to locate survivors. Investigations focused on structural degradation, unauthorized alterations, and the adequacy of municipal inspections. Public outcry followed as residents and activists demanded stricter enforcement of building codes and more robust infrastructure oversight.
2019
Mumbai