A deadly UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky stemmed from corporate choices that favored profits over safety, according to a lawyer who filed two wrongful death lawsuits Wednesday, which allege the company kept flying older aircraft without increasing maintenance beyond what’s regularly scheduled.
Federal officials stated that last month’s fiery crash of the MD-11 jet occurred during takeoff, when the engine on the left wing detached and flew off. Cracks were found where the engine connected to the wing, according to the National Transportation Safety Board report.
The cracks indicate that the now-grounded MD-11s, which average over 30 years in service, are too dangerous for package delivery operations, said Robert Clifford, a lawyer with decades of experience representing victims in plane crashes. ”The plane that crashed was old, tired and should have never been taken out of mothballs,” Clifford declared, emphasizing that prioritizing cost savings over thorough inspections compromises safety.
UPS and GE, the manufacturer of the plane’s engines involved in the lawsuits, have expressed their sympathies to the grieving families while maintaining that safety remains paramount and refraining from commenting on ongoing litigation.
The crash resulted in numerous fatalities
Clifford Law Offices and Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers have named UPS and others in wrongful death suits concerning the tragic incident, which claimed the lives of Angela Anderson, 45, and Trinadette “Trina” Chavez, 37, both of whom perished in the flames fueled by 38,000 gallons of jet fuel onboard the aircraft. The deadly crash near Muhammad Ali International Airport resulted in the deaths of three pilots and eleven individuals on the ground.
The legal implications of the crash are expected to unfold further, as UPS faces accusations of negligence and recklessness in federal court. The lawsuits characterize the incident as catastrophic, stating that the crash “acted like a bomb” and drastically altered the lives of those affected.
Continued investigations into the aircraft's maintenance history
The ill-fated plane had recently completed over six weeks of significant maintenance that finished on October 18, during which various repairs were undertaken, including addressing structural concerns with the center wing fuel tank. However, reports indicated that vital components, such as the engine mounts, hadn't undergone a detailed inspection since 2021 until the October maintenance.
The necessity for more stringent safety over cost savings is paramount, as extended aircraft lifespans increase the risk of fatigue-related failures. Clifford noted parallels between this recent accident and previous major aviation incidents, emphasizing the critical need for safety in aircraft operations.
Federal aviation response to the crash
Following the crash, federal agencies grounded all MD-11s operated by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global for urgent inspection and repair. UPS has projected that its fleet of MD-11s will not return to service until after the upcoming holiday period.
Given the aging fleet and the potential for extensive repairs, industry experts speculate that replacing these aging aircraft may be a more practical route for package delivery companies moving forward.
