SFO turbulence: United Airlines planes collide at California airport, no passengers harmed
San Francisco-based United Airlines aircraft collide wings mid-air
In an unexpected turn of events at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on May 6, 2025, two United Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft, en route to Hong Kong and Sydney, respectively, collided during a pushback process. Here's a breakdown of the incident and the aftermath.
Former commercial pilot Mike Coffield sheds light on the incident, joining 'America Reports' to discuss the collarboration between planes at SFO.
At approximately 10:45 PM, Flight UA863, bound for Sydney, was taxiing away from the gate when its wing unexpectedly clipped the wing of another nearby aircraft, Flight UA877, destined for Hong Kong. Ironically, this occurrence happened at SFO's International Terminal, an area where air traffic controllers don't typically monitor the movement of planes on the ground.
Luckily for all those involved, 508 passengers aboard the two aircraft walked away unscathed. United Airlines' official statement confirmed that no injuries occurred and both planes' passengers deplaned normally.
The FAA is diving into the incident, scrutinizing ground handling procedures and communication protocols in an effort to prevent similar events from happening in the future. Initial investigations point towards issues with ground handling coordination. With both planes fully loaded, this incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with ground operations as compared to air traffic control duties.
Remarkably, this unfortunate incident comes after several members of Congress experienced a similarly unexpected event while aboard a plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 10, 2025. In that case, the wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 accidentally struck American Airlines Flight 4522 on a taxiway, leading to minor damage for both aircraft [1][2].
Just like in Washington, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are involved in this incident in California as well, working to determine the cause of the collision, evaluate the damage, and take preventative measures against future occurrences. Whether it was miscommunication between ground crews or a lapse in airport oversight, the investigation will shed light on the factors ultimately leading to the accident [4].
[1] - https://www.digital.com/united-airlines-planes-san-francisco-collision
[2] - https://www.digital.com/american-airlines-planes-washington-dc-collision
[4] - https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/20250507.aspx
- The collision between two United Airlines Boeing 777 planes at SFO's International Terminal on May 6, 2025, has prompted investigations into ground handling procedures and communication protocols by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- United Airlines' official statement confirmed that no passengers were injured in the incident, with 508 passengers from both planes deplaning normally.
- The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are also involved in the aftermath of a similar incident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 10, 2025, where the wingtip of two American Airlines planes collided.
- As the investigation into the SFO incident unfolds, the potential risks associated with ground operations are highlighted, with a focus on miscommunication between ground crews or lapses in airport oversight.
- This collision serves as a reminder of the need for proper coordination and safety measures in the aviation industry, particularly during transportation operations at busy airports.
- The events in both San Francisco and Washington airports are regarded as general-news topics, receiving attention in discussions about Politics, Finance, Aviation, Transportation, and Sports.
