November 19

The notorious Doom Bar sandbank off Cornwall’s coast has long been a hazard to shipping. In November 1911, storms drove two ships, Island Maid and Angele, onto its shifting sands. Island Maid was lost with all hands, while only the captain of Angele survived. The disaster underscored the perils of early 20th-century maritime navigation. Local lore and rescue efforts highlight the community’s response to such tragedies.

On November 19, 1977, TAP Air Portugal Flight 425, a Boeing 727, crashed while attempting to land at Funchal Airport on Madeira Island amid heavy rain and strong crosswinds. The aircraft overshot the runway and plunged down a steep embankment, breaking apart and catching fire upon impact. Of the 164 people on board, 131 perished, making it one of the worst air disasters in Portuguese history. Rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by treacherous terrain and adverse weather conditions. The tragedy prompted significant upgrades to runway safety features and emergency response protocols at airports worldwide. Flight 425's legacy endures as a sober reminder of the importance of rigorous safety standards in aviation.

On November 19, 1984, a chain of explosions ripped through the Pemex petroleum storage facility at San Juan Ixhuatepec in Mexico City, igniting a massive fire. Rescue workers battled intense heat and thick smoke as flames engulfed storage tanks and pipelines. The disaster claimed the lives of nearly 500 people and injured hundreds more. Investigations revealed critical safety oversights in the handling of flammable materials and emergency response. In the aftermath, Mexican authorities implemented stricter industrial safety regulations and improved disaster preparedness. The San Juanico tragedy remains one of the deadliest industrial accidents in Latin American history.

On November 19, 1996, a Beechcraft 1900 and a Beechcraft King Air collided on approach to Quincy Regional Airport in Illinois. The accident occurred in poor visibility as both aircraft were preparing to land. All 14 occupants aboard the two planes perished in the crash. Investigation pointed to failures in communication and air traffic control coordination. The tragedy led to recommendations for improved radar procedures and stricter approach protocols at regional airports. In response, regulatory agencies updated safety guidelines to prevent similar accidents in the future. The Quincy collision remains a sobering reminder of the challenges in managing increasing regional air traffic.

Just after 2:00 AM on November 19, 2010, the Pike River Mine on New Zealand's West Coast experienced a catastrophic methane explosion. Twenty-nine men were working underground at the time and were trapped by the blast. Rescue teams faced hazardous conditions and repeated secondary explosions during recovery efforts. The disaster was the worst mining accident in New Zealand since 1914. Subsequent investigations revealed failures in safety protocols and regulatory oversight. The tragedy led to major reforms in New Zealand's health and safety legislation. Families and the nation mourned the loss as inquiries sought accountability. Memorials and commemorations continue to honor the miners' memory.