By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The families of two victims of the November 4th UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, have filed wrongful death lawsuits. The lawsuits name UPS, UPS Air, Boeing, GE, and VT San Antonio Aerospace as defendants, alleging the crash was caused by corporate decisions to keep aging MD-11 aircraft in service without proper inspections. The plane, which crashed shortly after takeoff, resulted in 14 fatalities, including three pilots and those on the ground. Both the FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash, with a final report expected in 2026.
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Families of people killed in UPS cargo plane crash sue carrier for wrongful death. This is a situation that, understandably, triggers a lot of complex reactions. From the outside, it appears the tragic loss of life has led to legal action, a move that’s become sadly common in such circumstances. It’s hard to imagine the pain and grief these families are going through, and seeking justice is a natural response.
Given the nature of the event, the blame game is likely to be intense. There’s a strong chance this will boil down to a fight between insurance companies. They’ll be poring over every detail to determine liability and minimize payouts. That’s just the unfortunate reality of how these situations often play out.
The early indications, like the video footage of the engine detaching, point towards potential issues with the aircraft itself, or its maintenance. The focus is likely to be on whether UPS failed to adequately maintain the plane, or if the manufacturer bears some responsibility for design or manufacturing flaws.
UPS, meanwhile, could take a hands-off approach initially, waiting for the legal process to unfold. Unless gross negligence is proven, UPS might avoid direct financial liability, which is possible. However, the legal battles could drag on for years, possibly with a resolution only materializing long after the tragedy.
The age of the aircraft involved, an MD-11, also comes into play. These planes are aging, and the families may bring up fatigue cracks and pylon mounts. Insurance companies can factor this into their decisions, possibly leading to higher insurance costs if these aircraft were to remain in the air. That will make it costly to keep such aircraft flying.
It’s important to understand the complexities here. While it’s easy to point fingers, the situation is not that simple. Workers’ compensation claims would likely provide benefits to the families of any UPS employees who died, covering aspects like funeral expenses. But the lawsuits are typically broad, involving every entity that might bear some level of responsibility.
The focus will be on the technical aspects and the investigation findings. The aircraft, as the preliminary reports indicate, might have passed all the necessary inspections. But there may be a problem involving fatigue cracking, which is very difficult to detect. This might be a tragic accident with no intentional wrongdoing.
Blame will ultimately be attributed to a company: the maintenance provider, inspection service, or the plane’s owner, or any combination. All have deep pockets, and they are aware that legal actions like this take considerable time to resolve. This awareness might prompt the families to act quickly.
Evidence of any pilot error could be pivotal. Pilot error would create negligence on the part of the carrier. However, the video evidence suggesting mechanical failure significantly alters the situation.
It’s crucial to acknowledge the design of the MD-11. It’s a McDonnell-Douglas product, acquired by Boeing. Boeing inherited the aircraft’s support after the merger, meaning they have a responsibility for the planes. Boeing is responsible for maintaining the airworthiness certification. So, even though they didn’t design the plane, they have taken responsibility.
The financial aspects are significant. Plane manufacturers are expected to provide maintenance support and safety upgrades. So, there is liability for Boeing and any subcontractors that UPS used for the maintenance and inspection work.
The NTSB report plays a key role. The report indicated the plane was a long way from the usual inspections. The engine mounts are generally not looked at in the normal inspections. The focus will be on whether something went wrong during maintenance, or if a defective part was installed. Either way, it’s a tragic situation that highlights the challenges faced when a system fails and the devastating consequences that follow.