Attorney in wrongful death cases accuses UPS of prioritizing profits over safety leading to fatal plane crash that claimed 14 lives

A catastrophic UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky has been linked to corporate decisions that allegedly prioritized profit over safety, according to a lawyer who filed two wrongful death lawsuits Wednesday. The lawsuits claim the company continued to operate aging aircraft without enhancing maintenance beyond standard schedules.

Federal authorities reported that last months MD-11 jet crash occurred during takeoff when the left engine detached and fell off. The National Transportation Safety Board discovered cracks at the engine-to-wing connection, highlighting the risks of keeping the now-grounded MD-11s, which are over 30 years old on average, in active service. Robert Clifford, an attorney with decades of experience representing victims of plane crashes, stated the aircraft was old, worn out, and should never have been returned to service.

Clifford added that the decision to continue flying these older planes while not increasing inspection frequency constitutes putting profits over safety. The crash resulted in the deaths of three pilots and eleven people on the ground.

The lawsuits were filed on behalf of families of Angela Anderson, 45, who was shopping near the airport, and Trinadette "Trina" Chavez, 37, who worked at Grade A Auto Parts. Both were killed in the fire ignited by the 38,000 gallons (144,000 liters) of jet fuel aboard the plane destined for Hawaii.

Alongside UPS, the lawsuits target General Electric, the engine manufacturer; Boeing, which acquired McDonnell Douglas, the planes original maker; and VT San Antonio Aerospace, Inc., responsible for inspections and maintenance. UPS and GE stated that safety remains a top priority and expressed condolences to the victims families, while declining to comment on ongoing litigation. Other companies did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

The MD-11 involved had completed over six weeks of extensive maintenance ending October 18, addressing structural issues including a cracked center wing fuel tank and corrosion. Components connecting the engine to the wing were lubricated, yet the engine mount had not been thoroughly inspected since 2021, with the next detailed inspection not scheduled until after 7,000 more takeoffs and landings.

Clifford compared the crash to the 1979 American Airlines DC-10 disaster, which also involved a left engine detachment, though that incident resulted from forklift damage to engine mounts. In this case, the failure appears linked to the aircrafts age. He explained that extending a planes service life saves money and reduces downtime but sharply increases the risk of fatigue fractures.

Following the crash, federal authorities grounded all MD-11s operated by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global pending inspections and repairs. The FAA has not yet specified what repairs will be required. UPS announced that MD-11 operations are not expected to resume until after the holiday season. The remaining 109 MD-11 aircraft, all over 30 years old, are solely used for cargo transport, representing about 9% of UPSs fleet and 4% of FedExs. Experts suggest that replacement could be a more practical option than extensive repairs.

Author: Connor Blake