September 28

On September 28, 1912, Corporal Frank S. Scott of the U.S. Army Signal Corps was killed when his Wright Model C biplane crashed during a training flight at College Park, Maryland. Serving as an enlisted observer, he became the first enlisted U.S. military member to die in an aviation accident. The pilot survived, but the crash underscored the dangers of early powered flight and the experimental nature of military aviation. Scott’s death prompted improvements in aircraft safety protocols and training procedures. Today, he is remembered with a military airfield named in his honor and as a pioneer casualty of flight.

On 28 September 1992, Pakistan International Airlines Flight PK 268 collided with a hill on approach to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport amid poor visibility and challenging mountainous terrain. The Boeing 737-200 aircraft, carrying 159 passengers and 8 crew members, crashed into Mulkharka hill, killing everyone on board. The tragedy highlighted the dangers of aviation in the Himalayas, where unpredictable weather and limited navigation aids pose significant risks. Investigators cited pilot error, miscommunication, and inadequate ground support as contributing factors. The accident prompted reviews of approach procedures and safety enhancements at Nepali airports. It remains one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Nepal's history, leading to calls for improved pilot training and air traffic control systems.

On 28 September 1994, the passenger ferry MS Estonia departed Tallinn for Stockholm amid severe weather conditions in the Baltic Sea. As the ship encountered rough seas, waves damaged its bow visor, allowing water to flood the car deck rapidly. Within minutes, the vessel lost stability and sank in dark and stormy seas, trapping many passengers below decks. Rescue operations faced immense challenges due to high winds, cold temperatures, and limited visibility. Of the 989 people on board, 852 perished, making it one of the worst maritime disasters of the late 20th century. The Estonian government's subsequent investigation led to recommendations for stricter safety regulations, including improved bow door designs and evacuation procedures. Memorials in Tallinn and Stockholm honor the victims and serve as solemn reminders of the tragedy.

On September 28, 2012, Sita Air Flight 601, a domestic Dornier 228 passenger plane, crashed in the Madhyapur Thimi area near Kathmandu. All 19 passengers and crew members were killed in the accident. The aircraft was en route from Tribhuvan International Airport to Lukla when it lost altitude and struck the ground. Local emergency teams responded but found no survivors. The tragedy highlighted challenges of Nepali mountain aviation and prompted reviews of safety regulations. Family members and aviation authorities called for improved maintenance and pilot training to prevent future incidents. The crash remains one of Nepal's deadliest aviation accidents of the decade.

On September 28, 2016, a severe storm brought large hail, torrential rain, and straight-line winds across South Australia, triggering the state's worst power outage in history. Lightning strikes and wind damage caused multiple transmission lines to trip, leading to a cascading failure that plunged nearly 1.7 million residents into darkness. Some regions remained without electricity for up to three days as repair crews worked around the clock to restore power. The blackout disrupted hospitals, transportation systems, and businesses, prompting concerns about grid reliability. An independent report later examined the role of renewable energy integration and network resilience. The event sparked national debate on energy policy, infrastructure investment, and emergency preparedness. Lessons learned influenced future upgrades to strengthen South Australia's power network against extreme weather events.

On September 28, 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Minahasa Peninsula off Sulawesi in Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami that swept across coastal areas. The epicenter lay near the northern shore of Palu Bay, where undersea landslides amplified waves up to six meters high. Entire neighborhoods in Palu and Donggala were inundated, collapsing buildings and severing infrastructure. Rescue teams faced challenges reaching isolated communities amid damaged roads and overwhelming debris. The disaster claimed 4,340 lives, injured over 10,600 people, and left tens of thousands displaced. A failure in the early warning system led to calls for improved tsunami preparedness and evacuation procedures. International relief efforts, including search, medical aid, and temporary shelters, supported recovery. The catastrophe highlighted the region's vulnerability to seismic and tsunami hazards and spurred investments in disaster risk reduction.

On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa State Park, Florida, as a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds reaching 150 mph. A catastrophic storm surge inundated coastal communities, obliterating homes and infrastructure along the southwestern Gulf Coast. The hurricane carved a destructive path across the Florida peninsula, causing widespread flooding, wind damage, and power outages affecting millions. At least 169 lives were lost, and economic losses topped $113 billion, making Ian Florida's most expensive hurricane on record and the deadliest since the 1935 Labor Day storm. Emergency responders and National Guard units conducted rescues amid flooded neighborhoods and debris-strewn streets. Recovery efforts involved state and federal agencies in search, relief distribution, and rebuilding. The storm spurred discussions on coastal resilience, building codes, and climate adaptation strategies.