Lawsuits Filed by Families of UPS Cargo Plane Crash Victims for Wrongful Death

The relatives of two victims who died in the tragic crash of a UPS cargo plane at the World Port hub in Louisville, Kentucky, have filed lawsuits for wrongful death. The accident occurred on November 4 when a UPS MD-11 cargo jet en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, crashed shortly after taking off from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, killing three pilots aboard the plane and 11 individuals on the ground. In addition, 23 others sustained injuries.

The cargo plane crashed into an industrial zone near the airport and exploded upon impact, creating a massive fireball. The lawsuits are targeting UPS, UPS Air, Boeing, GE, and VT San Antonio Aerospace a company responsible for aircraft maintenance. The Independent has reached out to the defendants for comment.

Robert Clifford, the lead attorney representing the families, claims that the crash was a result of corporate decisions to keep aging MD-11 aircraft some of which are over 30 years old in operation without adequate inspections. Clifford argued that the plane should not have been allowed to fly on that day, stressing that the crash was entirely preventable.

Bradley Cosgrove, another attorney from Clifford Law Offices, spoke at a press conference stating, "This plane should have never been airworthy to be in the air that day, and this crash was preventable. We hope to uncover every detail that shows how preventable this tragedy was."

The families filing the lawsuits include those of Angela Anderson, who tragically lost her life while shopping near the airport, and Trinadette Chavez, who was at work at an auto parts dealership when the crash occurred. Chavezs family vowed to pursue justice for her, with her sister, Gabriela Hermosillo-Nunez, describing her as the "heart and soul" of their family. According to local media, Gabriela shared how, unlike others her age, Trinadette had taken on responsibilities far beyond her years, caring for and supporting the family in various ways.

UPS and GE have issued statements asserting that they cannot comment on pending litigation but reiterated that safety is a priority for both companies. Following the incident, the FAA grounded all MD-11 aircraft for comprehensive inspections and safety assessments.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are actively investigating the cause of the crash. The FAA has indicated that a final report on the crash is expected in 2026. In addition to the lawsuits filed by the families, the federal government has also launched a lawsuit against UPS, accusing the company of negligence and reckless conduct.

Author: Lucas Grant