A worker at a Kentucky scrapyard, who suffered catastrophic burns when a UPS cargo plane ploughed into his workplace, has died from his injuries, becoming the 15th victim of the November tragedy.
The Fatal Crash and Its Aftermath
Alain Rodriguez Colina was on the ground at Grade A Recycling on November 4 when UPS Flight 2976, fully loaded with fuel for a trip to Hawaii, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. The aircraft exploded in a massive fireball after its left engine detached during takeoff.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that cracks were later discovered where the engine connected to the wing. The plane managed to reach only about 30 feet in altitude before crashing into the recycling facility, which is located near the airport, home to the largest UPS package delivery hub in the world.
A Life Lost: The Story of Alain Rodriguez Colina
Colina, who immigrated to the United States from Cuba where he had worked as a schoolteacher, joined Grade A Recycling in 2023 and was noted for his rapid progression within the company. He escaped the initial crash with burns covering more than half of his body and was placed in a medically induced coma, never regaining consciousness.
His family, including his mother and siblings in the local area and a daughter in Cuba, maintained a vigil at his bedside. Despite initial optimism, his health deteriorated, and he passed away on Christmas Day. He was the third employee from Grade A Recycling to be killed in the incident.
"He was one of a kind," said manager Manuel Leos in a statement. "One of those people that you meet very few and far between in life, full of life, full of enthusiasm, full of dreams."
Investigation, Lawsuits, and Regulatory Fallout
The NTSB's preliminary report indicated the wing separated from the plane on the runway, and the part holding the engine cracked, igniting the devastating fire. The crash claimed the lives of the three pilots on board—Captain Dana Diamond, 62, Captain Richard Wartenberg, 57, and First Officer Lee Truitt, 45—and 12 people on the ground.
In the wake of the disaster, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a temporary ban on MD-11 aircraft, which are used exclusively for cargo transport. MD-11s constitute approximately 9% of the UPS fleet.
Two wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against UPS and General Electric, the manufacturer of the plane's engine. The suits allege UPS operated older aircraft without proper maintenance checks. Neither company has yet publicly responded to the litigation.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed Colina's death on social media, with Beshear asking for prayers for Colina's family and all those affected by the tragedy.
