YEAR IN REVIEW: Angels & Airwaves hit the Warped Tour, +44 disappear, and Travis works on remixes of hip-hop songs. Former Blink producer Jerry Finn dies, and Travis and collaborator DJ AM are involved in a plane crash, with both in critical condition. These events set the stage for a Blink reunion.
 
6/1/2008: A fire breaks out at Universal Studios Hollywood, where hundreds of master recordings were being housed in a shack. Blink were among the artists affected; while no other info has been released, it can be assumed that the original master tapes for the majority of Blink’s major-label period — 1997 to 2003 — were destroyed. Untitled was recorded digitally and perhaps has backups, and the others may have safety copies. Regardless: a big loss.

6/20/2008: Angels & Airwaves perform at the Pomona Fairgrounds in Pomona, California, beginning their stint on the Warped Tour 2008.

7/2008 (undated): Former Blink producer Jerry Finn suffers a massive brain hemorrhage.
8/12/2008: Jerry Finn is taken off life support.

8/17/2008: Angels & Airwaves perform at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, ending their stint on the Warped Tour 2008.
8/21/2008: Jerry Finn dies at 39. "One of my best friends passed away,” wrote Mark on his blog. “Jerry Finn was one of the most talented, funniest, coolest, smartest and honest people I’e ever known. I feel blessed to have worked with and learned so much from him. But most of all, I am honored to call him my dear friend. Jerry, I miss you already."

8/27/2008: TRV$DJAM’ debut mixtape, Fix Your Face, is released.
9/2008 (undated): Mark begins recording a solo album. He later says he was planning to call Tom to do guitar work for it and then the plane crash happened. Here's some footage from that time: video 1, video 2.
9/19/2008:

• Following a show at a free T-Mobile-sponsored show in Five Points, South Carolina, Travis and DJ AM are critically injured in a plane crash. Barker’s assistant, Little Chris Baker, his security guard, Charles Still, the plane’s pilot, Sarah Lemmon, and her co-pilot, James Bland, were all killed.

• According to TMZ.com, Barker sustained burns from the waist down, while AM suffered facial burns; UsMagazine.com reported that AM was in a doctor-induced coma and would undergo skin grafts. 

9/21/2008:

• In a press conference, doctors at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center confirm: "I think these patients are going to make a full recovery. Anybody who can survive a plane crash is very lucky." The duo were in "critical but stable condition."

9/22/2008:

• Federal investigators focus on the possibility that a blown tire could have contributed to the jet crash. According to CNN, investigators found evidence that one of the jet’s tires may have blown moments before takeoff.

• Famous Stars and Straps website reads: "It is with the utmost sympathy and regret that the Famous Family confirms the tragic loss of two of its most beloved members."

9/23/2008:

• Travis is "trying to stay upbeat" after multiple surgeries, says a friend.

• Lieutenant Josh Shumpert of the South Congaree, South Carolina, police department: "[The two] told me that they slid down the wing on the right side of the plane. They said they were on fire, and that they tackled each other and put each other out."

9/26/2008:

• Jermaine Dupri says Travis will be released from the hospital in two weeks.

• DJ AM is released from the hospital.

9/29/2008: Travis is released from the burn center. He travels back to LA by bus.
10/6/2008: Tom comments for the first time on Travis via Modlife: "No matter what happened between himself and Barker in the past, none of it matters when it comes down to somebody getting hurt."
10/8/2008: Travis opens up to US Weekly on the crash and his fear of flying.
10/12/2008: Travis blogs about his plane crash, extends thanks to well-wishers.
11/19/2008: Mark breaks his silence on his blog: "In the midst of everything else that has happened lately, Tom, Travis and I have all spoken together. [...] The events of the past two months supersede everything that happened before. Life is too short."
12/1/2008: Travis says Blink-182 is not getting back together, but, "We’re friends, though, everyone’s getting along pretty good."