Tragedy Deepens: UPS MD-11 Crash Death Toll Rises to 15 After Victim Succumbs to Injuries

December 26, 2025 at 03:02 AM•2 min read

UPS MD-11 crash death toll rose to 15 after Alain Rodriguez Colina succumbed to injuries, as the NTSB probes fatigue cracks in the engine pylon.

Key Points

1The death toll from UPS Flight 2976 rose to 15 after Alain Rodriguez Colina, a survivor with severe injuries, died in late December 2025.
2The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F crashed on November 4, 2025, after the left engine and pylon separated during takeoff at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.
3NTSB preliminary findings cite fatigue cracks and over-stress failure in the engine pylon aft mount lug as the likely cause of the engine separation.
4The FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive grounding the MD-11 fleet for inspections, impacting MD-11 freighter operations for major cargo carriers.

The death toll from the UPS MD-11 plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, has tragically risen to 15.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced the passing of Alain Rodriguez Colina. Colina succumbed to severe injuries sustained during the November 4, 2025, accident. The crash of UPS Flight 2976 is one of the deadliest cargo jet accidents in recent US history.

NTSB Investigation Findings

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11F was departing Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). It was headed for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. The aircraft crashed shortly after liftoff, impacting a storage yard and two buildings.

Preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) point to a catastrophic structural failure on takeoff. The aircraft's left engine and pylon separated from the wing. This event occurred just as the plane ascended to about 30 feet.

The NTSB fatigue crack investigation found critical evidence. Investigators identified fatigue cracks and over-stress failure in the left engine pylon aft mount lug. This structural connection attaches the engine assembly to the wing. The cracking likely contributed to the pylon’s failure. The NTSB is now focusing on the component’s inspection and MD-11 maintenance records.

Industry and Regulatory Impact

The crash prompted immediate and widespread regulatory action. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive (EAD). This directive temporarily grounded all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 grounding and MD-11F aircraft. The order was later expanded to include MD-10 and DC-10 models. This was due to similar pylon configurations across the legacy fleet.

The grounding affects major cargo carriers like UPS, FedEx, and Western Global Airlines.
The action highlights commercial aviation safety concerns regarding aging freighter fleets.
MD-11 freighter operations have been disrupted, forcing carriers to use contingency plans.

Boeing, which acquired the MD-11 program, recommended the initial voluntary grounding. The company is conducting further engineering analysis. The incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous inspection protocols for all in-service aircraft. For more commercial aviation news and analysis, visit flying.flights.