December 27

On December 27, 1836, an unprecedented avalanche descended on the town of Lewes in Sussex during a severe winter storm. The massive snow slide swept through streets, destroyed several buildings, and claimed the lives of eight residents. Residents had little warning, and rescue efforts were hampered by continued heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. The tragedy prompted investigations into avalanche risk and raised awareness of natural hazards in temperate zones. Memorials in Lewes honor the victims and serve as a lasting reminder of the disaster’s impact on the community. The Lewes avalanche remains the deadliest of its kind in English history.

On December 27, 1939, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Erzincan in eastern Turkey, generating catastrophic destruction. With a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), buildings across the region collapsed and infrastructure was wiped out. The tremor triggered landslides and fires, complicating rescue efforts in the bitter winter conditions. Official reports recorded over 32,700 fatalities, making it one of Turkey's deadliest earthquakes. Rescue operations were hampered by snow and the remote terrain, leaving survivors without shelter for days. The disaster prompted reforms in Turkish building codes and emergency response protocols to mitigate future seismic risks.

On December 27, 1968, North Central Airlines Flight 458, operating a Convair CV-580, crashed near the runway at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. The accident occurred in poor visibility conditions as the aircraft attempted to land during freezing fog. Investigations attributed the crash to pilot error and instrument landing system malfunctions, compounded by severe weather. Out of 40 passengers and crew aboard, 28 individuals lost their lives, and many others were injured. The tragedy prompted a review of landing procedures and improvements in airport approach protocols for low-visibility operations.

On December 27, 1991, SAS Flight 751 departing Stockholm encountered an engine failure caused by ice shed from the wings. The crew executed a deadstick landing in a snowy field near Gottröra, avoiding fatalities but causing aircraft damage. All 129 passengers and crew evacuated safely, though 92 suffered injuries of varying severity. The accident highlighted deficiencies in de-icing procedures and ice detection techniques on aircraft wings. Subsequent investigations led to revised pre-flight inspection protocols and engine design improvements. The incident remains a key case study in crew resource management and emergency landing procedures.

Bek Air Flight 2100, operating a Fokker 100 on a domestic service to Nur-Sultan, lost control moments after departing Almaty International Airport on December 27, 2019. Witnesses saw the aircraft veer off the runway, collide with perimeter fencing, and burst into flames. Of the passengers and crew on board, 13 people tragically lost their lives and numerous others were injured. Emergency responders and nearby hospitals mounted a rapid rescue and medical operation to assist survivors. Kazakh civil aviation authorities immediately launched a thorough investigation into the causes of the crash. Preliminary findings pointed to possible sensor malfunctions and irregular engine thrust reverser behavior, contributing to the aircraft’s stall. The accident prompted a region-wide safety review of aging Fokker 100 fleets and led to enhanced oversight by international aviation agencies.