San Francisco, Sept. 3 - On the evening of September 1, 2025, a ground collision occurred at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) involving two United Airlines aircraft, prompting a swift response from airline officials and federal regulators. United Flight UA1871, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 bound for Denver, was in the process of being pushed back from its gate when its wingtip struck the tail of United Flight UA796, a Boston-bound aircraft that remained stationary at its gate. The incident took place around 9:10 p.m. PDT in a non-controlled ramp area, where ground crews, rather than air traffic control, manage aircraft movements. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members on either aircraft, and both planes were promptly returned to the gate area, allowing passengers to disembark in an orderly manner. United Airlines quickly arranged alternative aircraft to minimize disruptions, ensuring passengers could continue to their destinations with minimal delay. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it would investigate the incident, highlighting the rarity of such ground collisions and their potential safety implications at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
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The collision caused visible damage to both aircraft, with the Boeing 737 MAX 9, registered as N17594 and delivered just months prior, sustaining damage to its wingtip, while the tail of the Boston-bound aircraft was impacted. United Airlines removed both planes from service for thorough inspections and repairs, a standard procedure to ensure airworthiness. The financial implications of such an incident are significant, as damage to a nearly new aircraft like the Boeing 737 MAX 9 can result in millions of dollars in repair costs and operational disruptions. Grounded aircraft lead to scheduling challenges, flight cancellations, and the need to re-accommodate passengers, all of which strain airline resources. San Francisco International Airport, a major West Coast hub handling over 50 million passengers in 2024, resumed normal operations shortly after the incident following safety checks by airport staff and regulators. However, the event underscored the complexities of coordinating aircraft movements in the tightly packed gate areas of high-traffic airports.
The FAA’s investigation will focus on determining how the collision occurred and why standard procedures failed to prevent it. Ground collisions, though infrequent, are treated with utmost seriousness due to the risks they pose to passenger safety and the potential for costly damage. Preliminary reports suggest the incident may have involved a misjudgment by the ground crew operating the tug, a vehicle used to push aircraft back from gates, as pilots do not control the plane during this maneuver. Factors such as the tug operator’s speed or turning angle could have contributed, though the FAA’s findings will provide a clearer picture. This incident follows another ground collision at SFO involving two United Airlines Boeing 777s on May 6, 2025, where one aircraft’s wingtip struck another during pushback, indicating a recurring challenge in ground operations at busy airports. The repeated incidents raise questions about training, communication, and equipment maintenance protocols for ground crews.
United Airlines emphasized that the safety of its customers and employees remains its top priority, and the airline is cooperating fully with the FAA’s investigation. The findings are expected to inform strategies to prevent future ground collisions, potentially leading to enhanced training for ground personnel or revised operational procedures. For passengers, the incident caused temporary confusion but was handled calmly, with many expressing relief that the issue was detected on the ground rather than in flight. The event serves as a reminder of the intricate logistics involved in managing aircraft at major hubs like SFO, where high traffic volumes and complex gate operations leave little margin for error. As the aviation industry continues to prioritize safety, incidents like this provide critical lessons for improving ground handling processes to ensure such occurrences remain rare.