1941day.year
Amy Johnson, a 37-year-old pilot and the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia, disappears after bailing out of her plane over the River Thames, and is presumed dead.
Aviator Amy Johnson disappears over the River Thames after bailing out of her plane on January 5, 1941, and is presumed dead.
Amy Johnson, celebrated for her solo flights from England to Australia, was ferrying an Airspeed Oxford during wartime duties.
She lost radio contact and bailed out into the River Thames estuary near Blackwall Point.
Despite extensive searches, neither Johnson nor her aircraft was ever recovered.
Her disappearance remains one of aviation’s enduring mysteries.
Johnson’s pioneering spirit and record-breaking achievements continue to inspire pilots worldwide.
1941
Amy Johnson
1969day.year
Ariana Afghan Airlines Flight 701 crashes in Fernhill, West Sussex, UK, while on approach to Gatwick Airport, killing 50 people.
Ariana Afghan Airlines Flight 701 crashes on approach to London Gatwick, resulting in 50 fatalities.
On January 5, 1969, Ariana Afghan Airlines Flight 701 crashed while approaching London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft went down in Fernhill, West Sussex, amid poor weather conditions. Fifty people aboard were killed and twelve survived the accident. Investigations pointed to factors including possible wind shear and pilot challenge. The crash became one of the deadliest civil aviation accidents in the UK at that time. It led to renewed focus on approach procedures and crew training in challenging conditions.
Ariana Afghan Airlines Flight 701
Fernhill, West Sussex
Gatwick Airport
1970day.year
The 7.1 Mw Tonghai earthquake shakes Tonghai County, Yunnan province, China, with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme). Between 10,000 and 15,000 people are known to have been killed and about another 26,000 are injured.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake devastates Tonghai County in Yunnan, China, causing massive casualties and injuries.
On January 5, 1970, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Tonghai County in Yunnan province, China. The quake registered a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme), devastating rural communities. Between 10,000 and 15,000 people were killed and around 26,000 were injured. Entire villages were flattened and countless homes destroyed. Rescue efforts were hampered by damaged roads and infrastructure. The disaster prompted major rebuilding and improvements in regional earthquake preparedness.
1970
Tonghai earthquake
Tonghai County
Yunnan
Mercalli intensity
1975day.year
The Tasman Bridge in Tasmania, Australia, is struck by the bulk ore carrier Lake Illawarra, killing twelve people.
The bulk carrier Lake Illawarra collides with Tasmania's Tasman Bridge, causing a catastrophic collapse and 12 deaths.
On January 5, 1975, the bulk carrier Lake Illawarra collided with Tasmania's Tasman Bridge in heavy fog. The impact caused several bridge spans to collapse into the Derwent River below. Twelve people lost their lives when vehicles plunged into the water or were crushed. The disaster severed Hobart's main transport link and required emergency ferry services. An extensive reconstruction project was undertaken, and the bridge reopened fifteen months later. The event remains one of Australia's most significant maritime and infrastructure tragedies.
1975
Tasman Bridge
Tasmania
is struck
1993day.year
The oil tanker MV Braer runs aground on the coast of the Shetland Islands, spilling 84,700 tons of crude oil.
On January 5, 1993, the oil tanker MV Braer ran aground off the Shetland Islands, releasing 84,700 tons of crude oil into the North Atlantic.
In stormy weather on January 5, 1993, the Liberian-registered oil tanker MV Braer ran aground near Garths Ness on the Shetland Islands.
The grounding ruptured the vessel's hull, releasing approximately 84,700 tons of North Sea crude oil into surrounding waters.
Fierce winds and high seas dispersed the cargo into the Atlantic, coating rocky shores and sandy beaches.
Despite initial fears of devastating ecological damage, harsh winter conditions helped rapidly break up and disperse the oil.
Local wildlife, including seabirds and marine mammals, suffered significant losses in the aftermath.
Cleanup crews worked for months to recover wreckage and rehabilitate affected areas.
The incident prompted reviews of tanker safety protocols and contributed to tighter maritime regulations.
Today, the MV Braer oil spill remains one of the largest environmental accidents in UK waters.
1993
MV Braer
Shetland
2024day.year
Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 makes an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a door plug blows off the Boeing 737 MAX 9 operating the flight. There are no fatalities, but the accident prompts the 737 MAX to be grounded and renews scrutiny on Boeing's manufacturing and design issues.
On January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 made an emergency landing after a cabin door plug detached mid-flight, leading to the temporary grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 fleet.
On January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 from Ontario to Portland diverted to Portland International Airport when a cabin door plug separated mid-flight.
Pilots executed an emergency landing without injuries to the 177 passengers and crew.
The incident involved a newly certified Boeing 737 MAX 9, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to ground the model temporarily.
Investigators examined manufacturing and design processes after the failure of the plug assembly.
The event reignited concerns over Boeing's quality control following previous MAX setbacks.
Alaska Airlines conducted thorough inspections across its MAX fleet before resuming operations.
The safe landing underscored both pilot skill and the importance of rigorous safety oversight in commercial aviation.
2024
Alaska Airlines Flight 1282
Portland International Airport
737 MAX to be grounded
Boeing's manufacturing and design issues