On Christmas Day, Cuban national Alain Rodríguez Colina succumbed to severe burns he sustained in the UPS cargo plane crash that occurred on November 4 in Louisville, Kentucky. This tragic incident has now resulted in a total of 15 fatalities.
Rodríguez, who had emigrated from Cuba to the United States, was employed at a scrap metal yard near Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport. The UPS cargo plane, laden with fuel and en route to Hawaii, crashed shortly after taking off, causing a massive explosion.
Kentucky authorities confirmed that Rodríguez was hospitalized for over seven weeks with burns covering more than half of his body, according to a report from the Associated Press, as cited by the Gulf Coast News. Despite showing signs of recovery recently, his condition deteriorated, and he passed away on December 25 without regaining consciousness.
Since 2023, Rodríguez had been working for Grade A Auto Parts & Recycling, one of the facilities affected by the disaster. His employers noted that he had quickly advanced in his career and built a new life in Louisville, where his mother and siblings also resided, while his daughter remained in Cuba.
The crash occurred when the UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 lost one of its engines during takeoff, leading to a massive fire as it crashed into an industrial area. The disaster claimed the lives of all three crew members on board, as well as several individuals on the ground.
Preliminary investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board, as reported by USA Today, indicated structural failures and signs of fatigue in the components supporting the engine. Following the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all MD-11 cargo planes.
Rodríguez's death comes amid ongoing lawsuits against UPS and the engine's manufacturer; however, his case is not included in these legal proceedings. Federal authorities continue to investigate to establish accountability in what is now considered the deadliest disaster in the cargo airline's history.
Inquiries into the UPS Cargo Plane Tragedy
What caused the UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky?
Preliminary investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board indicated that the crash was caused by structural failures and signs of fatigue in the components supporting the engine, leading to the loss of an engine during takeoff.
How many people died in the UPS cargo plane crash?
The crash resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals, including all three crew members on board and several people on the ground.
Is Alain Rodríguez Colina's case included in the lawsuits against UPS?
No, Alain Rodríguez Colina's case is not included in the ongoing lawsuits against UPS and the engine manufacturer.