Months after the fatal plane crash in Louisville, new lawsuits have been filed against UPS and several other defendants, including the estate of one of the pilots of the plane.

Fifteen people died when an MD-11 cargo plane crashed south of Louisville SDF on Nov. 4, 2025. Dozens more were injured near the crash site, including six people listed in one of three new lawsuits filed Wednesday.

According to their lawsuit, which also includes the father of one of the victim's children, the plaintiffs all suffered serious physical or psychological injuries due to the crash. It also resulted in some of them temporarily or permanently losing work at impacted businesses, attorneys argued. Hook and Book Towing & Recovery and Captain’s Hook Towing & Recovery filed the other two lawsuits separately. Both businesses worked with Grade A Recycling, the business the plane hit.

The lawsuits added that both companies lost property and experienced a significant interruption in business due to loss of access to businesses in the crash site.

All three lawsuits accuse UPS, Boeing, GE and VT San Antonio Aerospace of negligently allowing the cargo plane to be flown in an unsafe and unairworthy condition.

The lawsuits also name Maria Wartenberg as a defendant. She manages the estate of her late husband, Richard Wartenberg, who was one of the pilots killed in the crash. Attorneys argued Richard Wartenberg was the “final authority before takeoff and was directly responsible for determining whether [the plane] was in a condition for safe flight.

In its preliminary report, the NTSB said the plane's left engine detached during takeoff, finding evidence of fatigue cracks and areas of overstress failure in crucial components of the wing's engine mount. The report also said a repeating warning bell was heard inside the cockpit roughly 30 seconds before the fatal crash. As a pilot in control of [the plane, he] failed to act appropriately when presented with this alarm bell and failed to prevent the crash, the lawsuit continued.

The new lawsuits are seeking a jury trial and an unspecified amount of monetary damages.

In a statement provided to ABC News, UPS said it was deeply saddened by Flight 2976. "Our focus continues to be on supporting those affected and working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board as the investigation continues", the statement reads.

Several other lawsuits have been filed against UPS, GE, and Boeing in the months after the crash as well. The NTSB's investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing.

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Several other lawsuits have been filed against UPS, GE, and Boeing in the months after the crash as well. The NTSB's investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing.

That they are going after the companies doesn't bother me too much, and really isn't a shock. The fact that they are going after the family of one of the deceased does. Several years ago, there was a crash in nearby Lexington. Everyone on board, except one of the cabin crew, was killed. IIRC, he was maimed for life.

Needless to say, some lawyer thought it was a good idea to sue him, too, since he managed to survive.



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Mike,

The fact that they are going after the family of
one of the deceased does.

Indeed, that is truly shocking.

Several years ago, there was a crash in nearby
Lexington. Everyone on board, except one of the cabin crew, was killed. IIRC, he was maimed for life.

Needless to say, some lawyer thought it was a good idea to sue him, too, since he managed to survive.

Very well known incident. The 2nd officer who was "pilot flying" was the one that survived. As in a majority of aviation accidents ... avoidable ...

The USA ... a litigeous place to be ...

Lexington Blue Grass, cute little airport. Was there recently.

\%/@rd

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The USA ... a litigeous place to be ...

Yes, unfortunately so!

Mike

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