Timeline of Great Britain

1972:

Prime Minister Harold Wilson attempted to resign. In a speech given at PMQs, Wilson gracefully resigned the Labour leadership to the Home Secretary Jim Callaghan.

Unbeknownst to him and Parliament, however, Callaghan was dead. Having been in Luxembourg for most the crisis, Callaghan was only able to accept Wilson's offer before leaving. Landing in Gatwick, as Wilson gave his speech, Callaghan's plane collided with another taxing on the runway. The ensuing fireball, the result of the engine shredding into the fuel tank, ignited both, killing everyone aboard; Callaghan would be among the victims.

And so, Wilson’s car turned around.

By mid-morning, the press had realised something was wrong. Initial confusion over Wilson’s car manoeuvres had eventually been dismissed as obviously a misunderstanding, with some suggesting that Callaghan, not Wilson, was inside. But when he was spotted, however briefly, re-entering Buckingham Palace, Fleet Street came to life. It was concluded afterwards that Wilson should remain on as Prime Minister and Labour Leader on the condition that he resign before the next election.