The disasters listed below are some of the more commonly discussed engineering failures and/or human-caused disasters. You can find more complete lists via Wikipedia which will also give you some background information on each in each time to help jumpstart your understanding and research.
Transportation
Hindenburg
Ford Explorer rollovers
Challenger
Toyota Recall
Structural
Tacoma Narrows bridge
Twin Towers collapse
New Orleans levees
Vaiont Dam
Grand Teton Dam
Banqiao Dam
L'Aquila Earthquake (scientists/engineers on trial)
Katowice Trade Hall collapse
Savar Building collapse
Hyatt Regency walkway collapse
Nuclear Plant / Chemical Waste / Gas Contamination
Love Canal Chemical Waste Landfill
Chernobyl
Three Mile Island
Fukushima
Bhopal gas contamination
