First lawsuits to be initiated on Wednesday following fatal UPS plane crash

On Wednesday, legal action is anticipated as the first wrongful death lawsuits arise from the fatal UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, last month, which claimed 14 lives. Families of Angela Anderson, 45, and Trinadette "Trina" Chavez, 37, have initiated lawsuits against UPS, Boeing, GE, and other parties.

Chavez was employed at Grade A Auto Parts and Recycling, a business destroyed by the crash and subsequent fire, while Anderson had been dropping off scrap when the aircraft struck.

The UPS Crash: Key Details

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo jet went down on November 4 during takeoff after its left engine detached, igniting a massive fireball. The crash resulted in the deaths of all three crew members on board and 11 people on the ground, with an additional 23 sustaining injuries.

A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified fatigue cracks in the engine mount and evidence of "overstress failure," findings cited by the families' attorneys as indications of long-standing safety warnings that may have been ignored.

Allegations in the Lawsuits

The lawsuits, filed by Clifford Law Offices, allege negligence on the part of UPS, UPS AIR, GE, Boeing, and AT San Antonio Aerospace Inc., the latter responsible for certain inspections and maintenance prior to the crash.

Attorney Robert Clifford drew parallels between this crash and the 1979 DC-10 crash of American Airlines Flight 191 in Chicago, which killed 271 people. Clifford noted that the age of the MD-11 involved raises concerns about operational safety versus profit priorities.

Industry Impact

Following the incident, all MD-11 aircraft, including those operated by FedEx and Western Global, have been grounded for inspection and repairs if necessary. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also extended its Emergency Airworthiness Directive to nine other similar aircraft models, including the MD-10 and DC-10, citing potential shared risks.

Additional Legal Action

Separately, a federal class action lawsuit was filed by Morgan & Morgan on behalf of individuals and businesses affected by the crash and resulting explosion.

Author: Lucas Grant