A deadly UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky has been attributed to corporate choices favoring profits over safety. This claim comes from a lawyer who filed two wrongful death lawsuits alleging that the company continued to operate older aircraft without sufficient maintenance beyond scheduled inspections.
According to federal investigators, the fiery crash occurred on November 4 during takeoff when the left-wing engine detached from the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board report revealed significant cracks at the engine mount, indicating potential long-term neglect.
Robert Clifford, the attorney leading the case, argues that UPS’s practice of flying MD-11s, many of which are over three decades old, poses unacceptable risks. Should the maintenance protocols not be updated to reflect the aging of these aircraft, it could lead to future tragedies.
In the wake of the crash, which claimed the lives of three pilots and 11 people on the ground—including two innocent bystanders—legal battles are intensifying. UPS and GE, involved in the maintenance and engine production of the plane, claimed safety is paramount and expressed condolences but did not comment on the ongoing lawsuits.
Clifford's firm has named UPS along with Boeing and VT San Antonio Aerospace, which serviced the plane, in their lawsuits. Federal regulators have since grounded all MD-11 aircraft pending inspections and repairs.
As investigations continue, the implications of the crash raise serious questions about the balance between operational cost savings and passenger safety in the aviation industry.
