Part 2/9:
The calendar turned to 2024 with a significant seismic jolt—literally. Japan experienced a powerful earthquake of 7.5 magnitude that caused severe destruction and chaos, including tsunami alerts. This event set a dark tone for the new year. Such disasters were only punctuated by alarming instances in aviation safety, including a harrowing incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight, which had to make an emergency landing after a door malfunction instigated worries about aircraft construction quality.