Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices and lead counsel in the aviation litigation involving the crash of a Boeing jet that killed all 157 onboard with his firm representing 74 of the victims’ families, said regarding the latest crash in Louisville, that the Tuesday crash of a Boeing MD-11 cargo jet is reminiscent of the American Airlines jet that crashed just after takeoff from O’Hare Airport.
“The engine fell off shortly after takeoff and the plane crashed, killing everyone on board,” Clifford said. “I think the investigation will reveal striking similarities to what occurred there. It is left to be seen if it is a maintenance issue or a problem with the plane, but over the years, the aviation industry needs to learn not to repeat its mistakes.”
Clifford represented many of the families who lost loved ones in that tragic crash near O’Hare Airport more than 40 years ago, and he has been involved in every major commercial airline crash in the U.S. ever since. All 271 people on board and two people on the ground were killed, making it the deadliest air disaster in US history at the time.
An investigation is underway into the crash that occurred on Nov. 4, 2025, involving a UPS cargo plane that went down shortly after takeoff from the Louisville, Kentucky, airport, leaving at least 12 people dead and many more injured on the ground. Over 200 first responders were on the scene rescuing people.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has a team of investigators on the scene examining how this tragedy occurred. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and mobilized the National Guard in an effort to quickly free up resources.
“Based on the available information, including videos, there was obviously a catastrophic failure during the takeoff that led to this horrific in-flight fire, the subsequent crash, and the numerous flight crew and ground victims’ deaths that resulted from it. UPS and its partners, along with Boeing and all of the MD-11 systems partners, need to help the NTSB figure out what caused this crash as soon as possible, take steps to prevent recurrence, and accept full responsibility for all of the harm brought to the victims and their families.”
The UPS cargo plane crash, which happened around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, caused a massive fire, with giant plumes of smoke spanning nearly a mile around the airport. The MD-11 plane crashed during takeoff at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Three crew members were on board, UPS confirmed.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell) or pammenaker@cliffordlaw.com.