UPS prioritized profits over safety before crash that claimed 14 lives, attorney claims

A tragic UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky has been attributed to corporate decisions that prioritized profits over safety, as per an attorney who filed two wrongful death lawsuits. These lawsuits allege that UPS continued to operate older aircraft without additional maintenance beyond the regular schedule, leading to last month's devastating crash during takeoff. The left engine of the plane detached, causing fiery destruction. Subsequent investigations revealed cracks where the engine connected to the wing. The lawsuit also names General Electric, the manufacturer of the engine. UPS and GE emphasized that safety is their utmost concern amid ongoing investigations. The age of the MD-11 jets, averaging over 30 years, has raised concerns about their safety for package delivery purposes. Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all MD-11s, which had been used for cargo transport for more than ten years. The lawsuits, filed on behalf of victims' families, target UPS, Boeing (the original manufacturer of the plane), and VT San Antonio Aerospace, Inc. – the company responsible for the maintenance and inspection of the crashed plane. The details from the lawsuit indicate that the plane had recently undergone a major maintenance check, revealing significant structural issues that were addressed. The crash has led to the suspension of all remaining MD-11s used by major package delivery companies for thorough inspections and necessary repairs. If extensive repairs are deemed necessary, replacement of the aircraft may be considered a more viable option. UPS has disclosed that it does not anticipate MD-11s resuming operations until after the holiday season. Legal proceedings linked to the crash are anticipated to be protracted, with UPS already named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit that accuses the company of negligence and reckless conduct.