In 2001 during a routine training mission off the Hawaiian Islands, a U.S. Navy fast-attack nuclear submarine surfaced into a Japanese fishing trawler, severing the boat in half, killing nine people, and creating an international incident. The submarine was known as one of the best in the fleet, expertly operated by a hand-selected crew and led by a talented and charismatic captain.

That same year, a modern Airbus airliner broke apart in flight, crashing into a New York City suburb, and killing all 260 people aboard and 5 people on the ground. This jet used some of the aerospace industry's most advanced technologies and was flown by one of the best trained air crews in the world, yet resulted in the second deadliest aviation accident on U.S. soil to date.

In 1989, a fatal human crush occurred during a British football match in Sheffield, England, killing ninety-six spectators, injuring hundreds more, and traumatizing thousands. People had been packed so tightly in the stadium's ‘pens,’ or open viewing areas, that many died standing up while oblivious security officials actually pushed escaping fans back into the mayhem.

Finally, a pediatric cardiology unit at a well-reputed hospital in the United Kingdom continued to attempt a risky new surgical operation over a seven-year period even though the procedure was resulting in dozens of infants' deaths.