Grade A Recycling Owners Reflect on UPS Plane Crash Aftermath

Owners say they're past the initial shock but want justice for victims' families

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:51am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a crumpled UPS shipping label, a broken ATM, and scattered debris, conceptually representing the aftermath of a devastating plane crash that destroyed a local business.The wreckage of a family business destroyed by corporate negligence serves as a somber reminder of the human toll of the UPS plane crash.Louisville Today

The CEO and COO of Grade A Recycling in Louisville, Kentucky say they are still grappling with the aftermath of the deadly UPS plane crash that destroyed their business in November. They walked a news reporter through the crash site, now a 'ghost town,' and expressed frustration that UPS has not done enough to hold itself accountable or make things right for affected businesses and families.

Why it matters

The UPS plane crash was a tragic event that not only claimed 15 lives, but also devastated local businesses like Grade A Recycling that were in the path of the disaster. The owners' perspective sheds light on the long-term impact and ongoing challenges faced by those impacted, raising questions about corporate responsibility and support for affected communities.

The details

In November, a UPS cargo plane crashed into Grade A Recycling's property in Louisville, Kentucky, destroying the family-owned business. CEO Sean Garber and COO Joey Garber say they built the business from the ground up and it was like 'part of their family.' They walked a reporter through the crash site, which still has debris, an ATM memorial, and the area where the plane's cockpit detached. The Garbers say they are waiting for UPS to show more accountability, as the business was destroyed after hours when customers were still being served.

  • The UPS plane crash occurred in November 2025.
  • It has been nearly 6 months since the crash.

The players

Sean Garber

CEO of Grade A Recycling, a family-owned business destroyed in the UPS plane crash.

Joey Garber

Chief Operating Officer of Grade A Recycling and son of CEO Sean Garber.

UPS

The shipping company whose cargo plane crashed into and destroyed Grade A Recycling's property.

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What they’re saying

“You build a family business, the business is part of your family. You talk about it every day at the dinner table, you talk about it at the breakfast table, you talk about it in the evenings, you talk about it in the mornings, and not just with your family...but our employees are our family, our customers are our family. You talk about the business all the time, and then the business is stripped away from you.”

— Sean Garber, CEO, Grade A Recycling

“The people that aren't here, it's our responsibility to make it right by them...to make sure that the people that were negligent, that didn't do their jobs, that they are held accountable.”

— Joey Garber, COO, Grade A Recycling

What’s next

The Garbers say they haven't put their names on any lawsuits yet and are still hopeful that UPS will take responsibility and make things right for their business and the victims' families.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the long-lasting impact on local businesses and communities when corporate negligence leads to devastating disasters. The Garbers' perspective underscores the need for greater accountability and support from companies like UPS to help affected parties recover and rebuild.