Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on Thursday that the death toll from the November 4th crash of a United Parcel Service (UPS) plane has risen to 15 people. Beshear posted on X website on Thursday evening, “I have a heartbreaking news to share with everyone: today, we lost Alain Rodriguez Colina, who passed away as a result of injuries sustained in the UPS plane crash, bringing our total fatalities to 15.”
He wrote, “Let us pray for these unfortunate families, may they feel our love in the days ahead, they are not alone, we love them.”
Colina was one of the ground casualties and passed away on Christmas Day, more than seven weeks after the disaster occurred.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and at approximately 30 feet altitude, the left engine and left pylon separated from the wing, igniting a fire in the air, leading to the plane’s crash and collision with a warehouse and two buildings.
The involved aircraft was an MD-11F three-engine freighter with a 34-year history.
NTSB stated that inspections following the accident revealed signs of fatigue cracks and overload failure in the left engine pylon, with the cracks widening over time, causing the pylon to fail under normal stress. Prior to the crash, warning bells sounded in the cockpit.
Official reports indicate that the crash resulted in the deaths of three crew members on board and 11 individuals on the ground, with an additional 23 people on the ground injured.
Following the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded all MD-11 aircraft until a thorough inspection is completed.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, stated that there are currently approximately 70 MD-11 planes in operation, operated by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global.
(news source: NEWSBREAK)