A Cuban immigrant who built a new life in Louisville died on Christmas Day after a UPS cargo plane crash, raising the death toll to 15.
Crash Details
The accident occurred when a UPS cargo aircraft, fully loaded with fuel for a flight to Hawaii, departed Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport and plowed into businesses, exploding in a massive fireball. Gov. Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed the death on social media. Mayor Greenberg posted, “May Alain’s memory be a blessing,” late Thursday.
Three pilots and several other people died when the plane’s left engine detached during takeoff on Nov. 4. The National Transportation Safety Board later found cracks where the engine connected to the wing. The airport hosts the largest UPS package delivery hub in the region.
Alain Rodriguez Colina’s Life and Death
Colina had worked at Grade A Auto Parts & Recycling since 2023, rising quickly to the role of metal buyer. Owner and CEO Sean Garber told a phone interview on Friday that Colina embraced the company’s culture and life in Louisville, became a University of Kentucky fan, and had family in the area and a daughter in Cuba.
Workers at the scrapyard described the scramble to help survivors. Garber said Colina had been with a customer and a coworker who died. Colina escaped the initial impact but suffered burns over 50% of his body. Doctors had little hope for recovery. He was placed in an induced coma and never regained consciousness. Family visited often. Garber recalled that Colina seemed to be healing, but on Thursday his condition worsened.
Garber added, “He believed in the opportunity he got in the United States and really made the most of it,” and that “He should still be with us.”
Legal Actions and Future Litigation
Earlier this month, a lawyer filed two wrongful-death lawsuits alleging that UPS kept flying older aircraft without increasing maintenance beyond scheduled work. The lawsuit also names General Electric, the engine manufacturer. UPS and GE said they do not comment on pending lawsuits but emphasize safety as they assist the federal investigation. These suits do not include Colina.
More than 90 people affected by the crash, including Colina, plan to file another lawsuit in the coming weeks. Attorney Masten Childers III, whose firm represents those plaintiffs, said, “Alain fought hard,” and that “Alain’s passing must be honored by holding those responsible for his death accountable.”
FAA Response
The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all MD-11 aircraft, the type involved in the crash, which have been used only for hauling cargo for more than a decade.
Key Takeaways
- The crash killed 15 people, including Cuban immigrant Alain Rodriguez Colina.
- The plane’s left engine detached during takeoff, leading to a massive fireball.
- Colina’s coworkers and family mourn his loss; lawsuits are pending.
The tragedy highlights the risks of aging cargo aircraft and the ongoing investigations into maintenance practices.
