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. These legal actions allege the company kept flying older aircraft without sufficient maintenance beyond what is regularly scheduled.
Federal officials stated that last month’s fiery crash of the MD-11 jet occurred during takeoff when the left wing's engine detached. Cracks were identified at the connection point of the engine and the wing, as stated in the National Transportation Safety Board report.
The cracks revealed that the MD-11s, averaging over 30 years old, pose a significant risk to package delivery services, claimed Robert Clifford, a lawyer with over 45 years of experience in similar cases. Clifford emphasized, The plane that crashed was old, tired, and should never have been operational. Choosing to save costs by keeping aging planes in the air without increased inspections amounts to prioritizing profits over safety.
UPS and GE, manufacturers of the plane's engines, acknowledged their commitment to safety while assisting with federal investigations. However, they declined to comment on ongoing lawsuits.
The crash killed 3 pilots and 11 people on the ground
The lawsuits were filed on behalf of families of victims including Angela Anderson and Trinadette Chavez, who died during the crash caused by jet fuel igniting. The crash, alongside the legal ramifications, highlights serious concerns regarding aircraft safety.
Further investigation revealed that the plane had recently undergone over six weeks of maintenance, aimed at repairing critical structural issues. However, the engine mount had not been rigorously examined since 2021 and was not due for another detailed check for thousands of future flights.
This incident echoes past aviation disasters, drawing comparisons between the MD-11 crash and a 1979 American Airlines disaster that similarly involved engine detachment. As investigations continue, federal authorities have grounded other MD-11 aircraft in UPS's fleet for inspections, potentially grounding deliveries until vital repairs are confirmed.
