Owais Crawford
San Francisco International Airport has recently been the site of several aviation incidents that have brought scrutiny to commercial aviation safety procedures in the United States. In the latest incident, two United Airlines jets collided while taxiing on the tarmac, clipping wingtips and resulting in the cancellation of two trans-Pacific flights carrying over 500 passengers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this particular incident. However, this follows another recent incident where an American Airlines regional jet approaching the airport was struck by an Army helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people aboard the two aircraft. These events have raised concerns about commercial aviation safety and prompted discussions about air traffic control communications and potential improvements to prevent future accidents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | 2nd May 2025 |
| Incident | Two United Airlines planes collided while taxiing on the tarmac |
| Time of Incident | 12:35 a.m. |
| Location of Incident | An area where air traffic controllers do not communicate with flight crews |
| Number of Passengers | 500+ |
| Injuries | None |
| Flights Affected | 2 trans-Pacific flights |
| Previous Incidents | An American Airlines regional jet was struck by an Army helicopter on 29th January, killing 67 people |
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What You'll Learn
Two United Airlines jets collide on the tarmac
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, two United Airlines jets collided on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport. The incident, which occurred around 12:35 a.m., involved a Boeing 777 jet pushing back from the gate and clipping the wingtip of another United plane. The flight, numbered UA 863 and headed to Sydney, Australia, struck the left wingtip of UA 877, en route to Hong Kong. Both planes were fully loaded with passengers, carrying a combined total of over 500 passengers and 32 crew members. Despite the collision, no injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely deplaned. The accident resulted in the cancellation of both trans-Pacific flights, and United Airlines worked to rebook the affected passengers on alternative flights.
This incident marked the latest in a series of airline mishaps, including a similar wing-clipping incident between two United planes at the same airport in April 2024. The occurrence also contributed to heightened anxiety surrounding commercial aviation safety in the United States. Scrutiny of aviation safety procedures intensified following other accidents, disruptions, flight path problems, and an incident where air traffic controllers lost communication with planes at Newark Liberty International Airport.
A video of the aftermath showed emergency repair crews inspecting one of the planes' wings on the tarmac. The extent of the damage to the wings remained unclear, and United Airlines did not provide details on the cause of the accident. However, a ramp controller was recorded on an ATC recording, cautioning the pilot of Flight 863 about their proximity to the other plane.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the collision occurred in an area where air traffic controllers do not typically communicate with flight crews. The FAA launched an investigation into the incident, aiming to enhance safety protocols and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The incident involving United Airlines jets at San Francisco International Airport highlighted the critical importance of aviation safety and the need for continuous improvement in procedures and training to protect passengers, crew, and aircraft.
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No injuries reported
Two United Airlines planes collided on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport, and remarkably, no injuries were reported. The Boeing 777 jet clipped the wingtip of another United plane as it was moving away from the gate early on Tuesday morning. This incident caused the cancellation of two trans-Pacific flights carrying over 500 passengers, but fortunately, no one was hurt.
The collision occurred around 12:35 a.m. in an area where air traffic controllers do not typically communicate with flight crews, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA is currently under scrutiny for its role in this incident and its broader safety procedures. This mishap comes at a time of heightened concern about commercial aviation safety in the United States.
United Airlines has not disclosed the extent of the damage to the planes or the specific causes of the accident. The airline is working to accommodate affected passengers by rebooking them on alternative flights. The incident has brought attention to the issue of commercial aviation safety in the country, with previous incidents mentioned, including one involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter, which unfortunately resulted in fatalities.
While no injuries were reported in the United Airlines collision, it has sparked discussions about aviation safety and the procedures in place. The incident has also brought attention to the role of air traffic controllers and their communication with flight crews, especially in light of the recent communication breakdown at Newark Liberty International Airport, which caused significant disruptions.
The close call at San Francisco International Airport serves as a reminder of the critical nature of aviation safety and the ongoing efforts to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew. The incident has prompted investigations and discussions aimed at enhancing safety protocols and preventing similar occurrences in the future.
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Over 500 passengers affected
On Tuesday morning, two United Airlines jets collided on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport. The wingtip of one Boeing 777 jet clipped another United plane as it was pushing back from the gate at around 12:35 a.m. The collision resulted in the cancellation of two trans-Pacific flights, affecting over 500 passengers. The Sydney-bound flight had 202 passengers and 16 crew members on board, while the Hong Kong-bound flight carried 306 passengers and 16 crew. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident.
United Airlines is working to rebook the affected passengers on alternative flights. The airline has not disclosed details about the damage sustained by the planes or the cause of the accident. This incident has brought further scrutiny to commercial aviation safety procedures in the United States. It follows a string of other aviation incidents, including a recent crash at the same airport where an American Airlines regional jet was struck by an Army helicopter during its final approach, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people on board.
The collision between the United Airlines jets occurred in an area where air traffic controllers do not typically communicate with flight crews. This has raised questions about aviation safety and the role of air traffic controllers in preventing such incidents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident.
The incident at San Francisco International Airport is just one of several recent occurrences that have raised concerns about commercial aviation safety. Last week, air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport briefly lost communication with planes, leading to hundreds of delays and cancellations. In response, United Airlines announced a reduction in its daily flight schedule at Newark, citing a shortage of air traffic controllers. These incidents underscore the critical role of air traffic control in ensuring safe and efficient air travel.
As the investigation into the San Francisco incident unfolds, authorities will likely reevaluate safety protocols and take preventive measures to enhance the security of passengers and crew. The incident also highlights the importance of clear and effective communication between air traffic controllers and flight crews, especially during busy periods at major international airports.
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Previous deadly incident at the airport
San Francisco International Airport has been the site of several aviation incidents, including a deadly crash that occurred on January 29 when an American Airlines regional jet approaching the airport was struck by a US Army helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people aboard the two aircraft. This collision marked the deadliest aviation crash in the United States in two decades and heightened scrutiny of commercial aviation safety procedures.
The airport has also experienced other notable incidents. For instance, on May 6, 2025, two United Airlines jets collided while taxiing on the tarmac. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in this incident, but it prompted the cancellation of two trans-Pacific flights carrying over 500 passengers combined. The collision occurred during a period of heightened anxiety about commercial aviation safety in the United States, following various accidents, disruptions, and issues with flight paths.
Another incident involving United Airlines jets at San Francisco International Airport took place around 12:35 a.m. on the same day, when two planes clipped wingtips while one was pushing back from the gate. This incident also did not result in any injuries, but it drew attention to the communication protocols between air traffic controllers and flight crews in certain areas of the airport.
While these incidents at San Francisco International Airport have varied in severity, they underscore the ongoing focus on ensuring safe aviation operations and maintaining the well-being of passengers and crew.
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Increased anxiety about commercial aviation safety
Two United Airlines jets recently clipped wings at San Francisco International Airport, causing no injuries but sparking renewed concerns about commercial aviation safety in the United States. This incident, which occurred during taxiing when air traffic controllers typically do not communicate with flight crews, led to the cancellation of two trans-Pacific flights carrying over 500 passengers combined. It comes at a time of heightened anxiety about commercial aviation safety, with a string of recent accidents, disruptions, and flight path problems.
The United Airlines wing-clipping incident is not an isolated event. Just a week earlier, there was a communications breakdown at Newark Liberty International Airport, where air traffic controllers lost contact with planes, resulting in hundreds of delays, cancellations, and diversions. Additionally, an American Airlines regional jet approaching San Francisco International Airport in January was struck by an Army helicopter, resulting in the tragic deaths of all 67 people aboard the two aircraft. This collision was the deadliest crash in the United States in two decades.
These incidents have brought intense scrutiny to commercial aviation safety procedures. United Airlines is yet to disclose the extent of damage or the cause of the wing-clipping incident. The airline is focused on rebooking affected passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the San Francisco near-miss incident, and the Army has since suspended training flights around the Pentagon.
The wing-clipping incident and the fatal collision involving an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter have raised serious questions about air traffic control, communication protocols, and the safe management of busy airspace. These events, along with the issues at Newark Liberty International Airport, have likely contributed to heightened public concern about the safety of commercial aviation in the United States.
As a result of these incidents, passengers, airlines, and aviation authorities are likely to advocate for improved safety measures, enhanced training for air traffic controllers, and more robust communication and coordination between civilian and military aviation authorities. The pressure is on to restore confidence in the safety of air travel and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Two United Airlines planes collided while taxiing on the tarmac. No injuries were reported, but two trans-Pacific flights were cancelled as a result.
Yes, there were a total of 524 passengers across the two planes.
The incident occurred in an area where air traffic controllers do not communicate with flight crews. United Airlines did not disclose what led to the accident.
